A Space for MamaDawn's Space

hi 

My name is Dawn aka MamaDawn* and I am the President/Founder of MamaDawn's Space Inc.

Our child came out to us when they were 14(now a thriving, successful 26yr old). We told them we loved them no matter what. Accepting and supporting my child was NEVER hard for me but I know it is still hard for others. It is also hard for some to understand MY love and support OF them. Because of this I have made a point of being very vocal and demonstrative to others about my love and support of them. It didn’t take me long to realize that JUST loving MY child wasn’t going to be enough. I had to do more.

Our child was bullied physically, emotionally, and verbally for being gay their last year of middle school. When they finally told us we took immediate action with the school, parents, and law enforcement. I gradually became more involved, seeking out people and organizations that were trying to combat the discrimination and self hatred that LGBTQ+ people can experience. At first I just tried to stay informed about LGBTQ+ issues and then as time went on I became more personally invested in doing what I could to help bring to light these issues, donating time and money where I could.  The more I got involved, the more invested my heart became. During the past 10+ years I have volunteered and/or been on the board of PFLAG OKC, Cimarron Alliance, OKC Pride, YES youth services, QSpace youth group, and the Homeless Alliance. I have met fantastic people, some have had horrible stories and some have had good stories, but all have touched me. They have brought me tears of sadness and tears of joy. They are all a part of my heart and soul now and I will always, always be here for them.

For me, JUST loving and supporting MY child isn’t enough anymore. I feel a need to do what I can to let every LGBTQ+ person out there know that I love and accept them, that I’m fighting for them. Not because you are gay but because you are a person who deserves to be loved and accepted for who you are. Even if you feel like no one else does, I DO! Even if you have the love and support of your family and community, you will always have mine as well. 

All that being said, Oklahoma City metro needs a drug free, smoke free, alcohol free, judgement free space for the LGBTQ+ community. A place that’s open daily. A space where there is no judgment because of who you are and everyone is cared for and accepted for who they are. A place where you are protected from, and can escape from, the ugliness in the world. A place that can be counted on to be there for you.

I have wished/talked/dreamed for this for over 10 years. Well now is the time to go for it. I want to provide this space. It’ll be a place that you can come to where you can be fearless and free. A space where you’ll aways be welcome, accepted, and cared for. No questions asked. A safe place for anyone in the LGBTQ+ community regardless of age.

Along with myself, I will invite people in the community to volunteer to teach life and job skills. i.e. Cooking, budgeting, filling out job apps, sewing, child care, health care, car maintenance, etc. 

*Years ago my child called me Dawn one day(being a smartass) and I said I’m not Dawn, I’m your Mama. So they started calling me MamaDawn, like I said..smartass. 

If you think the name puts the attention on myself, that wasn’t the intention. MamaDawn is how I’m known and addressed in the community. I have also been told by those visiting my home, on numerous occasions, that my home represents a safe space for them, that they always know when they enter my home that they are accepted and cared for. The name was an effort to make sure that the space evokes the same feelings of loving acceptance.