An Australian group that gives free hugs to the LGBTQIA+ community says it's changing lives one embrace at a time.
Sandy Collins started Free Mum Hugs Australia in 2019, based on a movement in the United States.
"They just wanted that love and unconditional acceptance," Ms Collins said.
"There are some people who've had suicidal ideations.
Volunteer huggers attend pride and Mardi Gras events and give free hugs to, or have a conversation with, those passing by.
Ms Collins said the catalyst for starting the group was when her then 19-year-old son, Nick, shared that he was gay.
"I was part of a fundamental church and it was such a shock, because that wasn't part of our world view," she said.
She sought research and support and changed her "whole world view".
"I'm very sad to say he was not going to come out as he thought that we would reject him and that breaks my heart that any parent would reject their son," she said.
"So it was really wonderful when he realised we really accepted him and loved him unconditionally … and we tell him, 'We just love you exactly the way you are'."
But she has seen first-hand that's not an experience shared by everyone.
"We've heard stories about people who'd never or hadn't had hugs from their parents in ages and some of them hadn't even seen or spoken to their parents," Ms Collins said.
Hugs needed now more than ever
In the past four years, the group — which includes dads, siblings and extended family — has attended more than 20 events across Australia, giving out hugs in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast.
Even through the pandemic, the huggers had a COVID-safe puppet that gave socially distanced hugs.
As the world functions with COVID, hugger Tasha Hungerford said a warm embrace was needed now more than ever.
"Some people say, 'You know, I haven't had a hug in like a year or two years from anybody. No-one seems to accept me and I don't know who to talk to about things,'" she said.
Ms Hungerford points to a challenging 12 months for the LGBTQIA+ community with the Religious Discrimination Bill, the federal election and, most recently, FINA's restriction on transgender women competing in elite women's swimming competitions.
Ms Hungerford got involved with the initiative after her child shared their gender identity about five years ago.
"They certainly face prejudice just going into [supermarkets], [with] how they look and they're struggling getting jobs," she said.
"Even though they're accepted in the family, it would be lovely to have everybody in the community accept them for who they are — it's not their choice, it's just who they are."
'The best experience'
Miranda Butt has just completed her first event as a volunteer hugger.
Her initial apprehension didn't last long.
One of those receiving a hug for the first time at the group's most recent event at the Sunshine Coast Mardi Gras was teenager Ella Davidson, who identifies as a lesbian.
She said she was "lucky" her family had been "really accepting" of her sexuality.
But the 16-year-old still took comfort in a warm embrace.
"There's … the norm that you have to fit and you kind of force yourself into that even if you don't really relate to it."
Ella said growing up on the "conservative" Sunshine Coast as a young, gay woman had been mostly positive.
"There are always a few people that might give you a side-eye if you do hold hands with someone that isn't like, the norm, but other than that, I've had a pretty good experience," she said.
"It's got a lot more accepting."
'Just love your kid'
Ivan Weigh has been giving out hugs for more than a year.
As the father of transgender and bisexual children, he said it was important for men to be involved too.
Ms Collins, who has clocked up hundreds of hugs, agrees.
"There are statistics saying that kids who have acceptance are far less likely to commit suicide or to even have ideations of suicide," she said.
"It makes the biggest difference just to love your kid. Don't argue about things, just go and do your research and love your child."
