As Mother’s Day approaches, we celebrate the people who show up as moms, however that looks.

The people we call moms, two-mom families, single moms, adoptive moms, foster moms, and kinship moms. Grandmothers, aunts, and big sisters who step into parental roles. Bonus moms, chosen moms, the almost-moms, and the trying-to-be moms. Polyamorous families and families who decide for themselves who gets celebrated, including those where one dad happily claims Mother’s Day while the other waits for Father’s Day.

We also hold space for birth mothers, the women who make the deeply difficult, profoundly selfless decision to place their children for adoption in the hope of giving them greater opportunities. And for those who generously give of their bodies to help make parenthood possible for others, including the incredible egg donors and surrogates who support LGBTQ+ family-building.

There is no single version of what the role of mom looks like in our community, and that is exactly what makes it so powerful. For some, the role is clear but the language is not, and the word “mom” does not capture who they are.

This weekend, we celebrate all this love, all this effort, all this magic.

At a time when parts of our community are being challenged or pushed aside, it feels more important than ever to be proud, visible, and vocal in our support of one another.

We also remain committed to challenging the expectations and inequities that shape who carries the load, who gets recognized, and who gets supported. Because every kind of family, and every kind of caregiver, deserves to be seen, valued, and lifted up.

Happy Mother’s Day!