Da Moms

Every year since the opening of the Pacific Buddhist Academy in 2003, the annual Lighting Our Way banquet has been an important part of the senior year experience, giving students the opportunity to conduct research, learn about, and recognize inspirational individuals and organizations who exemplify leadership principles and values of the school such as selfless service to others, gratitude, and compassion. The students also interview and write brief biographies about the award recipients for the printed program.

In 2012, Josephine Chang and Susan Roth, founders of Da Moms, were recognized in this moving tribute written by Paris Hitchcock and Tori-Lynn Loo:

“Most focus on the coming out story of a gay child, but few consider how far those three words – Mom I'm gay – ripple after the first uttering, affecting each family member. Parents worry. Their crisis becomes, I can't tell anyone: not friends accustomed to knowing the child a certain way, or colleagues, or their own parents, so often more traditional than them. So they often turn to strangers for counsel. In this way, they begin the path towards learning and supporting their child.

Discrimination against sexual minority individuals is pervasive; LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) individuals are at risk of abuse, neglect, family rejection, bullying, homelessness. Helping parents worried about their children and working to stop bullying are just two of the many tasks Da Moms carry out. Josephine Chang, a former lawyer, and Susan Roth, a teacher, co-founded the organization in 2001. Ms. Chang and Ms. Roth consider Da Moms an informal network of moms and dads whose key mission is to work to ease the suffering from intolerance LGBT individuals and their families face.

Da Moms have initiated numerous LGBT support projects. In October 2011, for example, Da Moms created their LGBT Youth Safety-Net Project, and coordinated with community partners an LGBT Youth Safety-Net conference.

Being loved, accepted, and supported are the most important aspects for an LGBT child. “We want to 'normalize' the conversation” for families, says Ms. Chang. Both Ms. Chang and Ms. Roth agree that having gay children opened their eyes to new things, and changed the course of their lives in hugely rich ways. They're hopeful that everyone will embrace LGBT people. Both women agree, “Everybody has a role in creating a safe community for all of our children.”