was founded in June 2014 by Liz Dyer, who told "GMA" she was inspired to do so after her own personal experience with her children, one of whom came out as gay in 2007.
Heather Diaz describes Mama Bears as a"tight group of women that have just come together" to support LGBTQIA+ children and their families.More research is needed to determine if online support groups do indeed benefit parents and families of LGBTQ youth but apublished in the Journal of Adolescent Health suggested that "parents may grow more accepting as they observe youth receiving support and acceptance from peers and significant others.
Liz Dyer and Heather Diaz connected through the Mama Bears Facebook group, an online support group specifically for mothers of LGBTQ+ youth.The year Diaz joined Mama Bears was the same year another mom, Ginger Chun, started looking for a supportive group after her child came out as transgender. Through connecting with the local LGBTQ and transgender community in Texas and telling her own story, Chun said her world has expanded immensely.