Thank you for visiting my fundraising page! If you know me, you know why I'm doing this...if you don't, here's the story! I hope you will visit often - I will continue to update and will post pictures from the event!

“If you ask me what I came into this life to do, I will answer you: I am here to live out loud”. Emile Zola

I knew my son was gay before he was 2 years old. For us, this realization was a non-event. Our only cause of concern was ensuring that Connor grew up in an environment that was open, accepting and safe. I am often asked what it was like for our family when Connor “came out”. And to this question, I just chuckle because Connor was born OUT. And those reading this that knew him are chuckling now too.

Through the years, Connor developed into a person who fought for fairness and equal rights. The concept of “coming out” was foreign to him. He was the person that peers spoke with before they came out. He was the person who offered our home to kids who felt they were in an unsafe environment. He believed that every person should have the opportunity to live an authentic life. In January, 2014 Connor lost a heroic 2 month and 9 day battle with metastatic melanoma. He was 20 years old.

Four months after Connor passed, he was honored by the Queer Youth Task Force with the Ally to Queer Youth Award – for his contributions to improving the lives of LGBTQ in our community. The stories of Connor’s life that were shared in all of the nominations were proof of a life lived out loud. Connor is the bravest person I know. He is remembered.

That is how I became familiar with the QYTF and the work that they do. The mission of the QYTF is to improve the quality of life for all LGBTQ youth in our community, as well as children raised in LGBTQ homes. These kids are an at-risk group and the work that the QYTF does helps to proactively enhance understanding and help when oppression occurs. These kids face a set of challenges that is overwhelming.  It's hard enough to be a kid. Imagine trying to grow up when you have to hide who you are and when you're afraid to go to school or go home. Imagine the isolation, lonliness and fear.

The QYTF is making a difference. This organization is not just about those that identify as LGBTQ, it’s about creating and celebrating a community that enables every child, every person, to live a life out loud.

You can learn more about the QYTF by visiting www.QYTF.org. In the meantime, please give...to help a kid.

With much love and gratitude, Tracy