The Ambassadors

Kandi Brown (San Diego, CA)
How can I put into words how passionate I feel about equality for everyone? I feel like it’s an endless battle of saying “this is who I am, accept me”. The greatest people in my life are the ones who are themselves no matter what. I am heterosexual and I have never been questioned for this. It is my passion in life to make sure that everyone else in the entire world can be who they are and feel loved.  I may not have all of the money in the world to donate to the cause but I know that simply spreading the word and raising awareness is priceless. If I can make a world of a difference to another human being by simply saying “be you and love every minute of it” then I have succeeded in making this world a better place.

Kevin Cabaniss (San Diego, CA)
My endeavors with A Note to My Kid are aimed at today’s youth. I draw from my own story. I wish the site had been around 10 years ago when I was struggling in coming out. I needed to hear it was ok for me to be who I was. I needed to hear other parents struggles and acceptances with their children. I didn't have that at the time. To know now that the site can give that to even one person out there who's struggling makes the site a cornerstone for the LGBTQ community. If I can introduce the site to just one single person out there who's struggling, show them they're loved and perfect the way they are, then I've done my job.

StaceyAnne Dattilo (Palm Coast, Florida)

Byron Flitsch (Los Angeles, CA)
As the founder of theeverydaygay.com, it's my job to find gay people doing good things. As a writer, it's my duty to share stories through words -- A Note to My Kid combines both of my passions in to one. Personal letters are so powerful and can be used as inspiration, a tool and motivator to remind anyone -- gay, straight, purple, martian -- that they are not alone. As someone who's survived a difficult past, I can see how the work of the project can do to boost the spirits and dreams of anyone struggling in life. I believe this organization will change the world, and I'm proud to be a part of the revolution!

Johnny Follin (Long Beach, CA)
Someone once said “Where there is love there is life.” Although it is a simple statement, it speaks volumes on the power of love. To me, this is what A Note to My Kid has come to represent. Through simple acts of love, people are helping others to truly embrace who they are; to live. There are so many variables in our lives today but love is the only true constant. As an Ambassador, I'm committed to promoting love in an effort to start a dialogue not just within the LGBTQ community but on a larger global scale. If we stand together, encourage one another and speak our voice we can truly make great things happen.

David Gilmore (Bend Oregon)
I was reading one of the many poignant letters posted on A Note to My Kid when I realized that I could do much more than click “Like” on each Facebook posting to support this groundbreaking endeavor! 

Everyone deals with parental and peer acceptance and approval during the coming out process and this venue creates such a positive and impactful resource. Although not every story will resemble your own life, there is sure to be one that reaches your core and makes  you think about where you’ve been in life and your personal growth. 

It is my hope and belief that by affecting others through these stories the emotional pain and self doubt often associated with coming out will be negated.  Perhaps a young person can lead into their coming out by sharing several of these stories with their own parents or a friend/relative can share one of the stories with someone unsure about coming out as a show of support.  With so many devastating stories about young LGBT people in recent times, I proud to help turn the tide with my affiliation with A Note to My Kid.

Annette Gross (Carmel, Indiana)
I am a PFLAG mom in Indiana.  My son Matthew came out when he was 19.  I didn't know any other parents with LGBT kids, so I joined PFLAG.  In the process, I became educated about the issues and also learned how to stand up for my son.

Matthew is fortunate.  His parents and the rest of his family love him unconditionally.  But not all LGBT kids are this lucky. Most LGBT kids are afraid to come out to their parents.  They're scared that they'll be rejected by the very people who are supposed to protect them.  Too many kids are thrown out of their homes, abused, and bullied. 

One way to change negative attitudes is by telling our stories.  Through PFLAG I have been able to reach many people in our state.  I share my story with anyone who will listen - at college classes, businesses, conferences, blogs, and Facebook.  Now I have the opportunity to increase my message through A Note To My Kid.  I want to let people know that our LGBT kids are just like other kids - they want to be accepted for who they are, listened to, and respected.  I want to let LGBT kids who might be struggling know that they are not alone.

When my son came out, little did I know how my life would change for the better.  I have been given a wonderful opportunity to be able to spread a message of inclusiveness and equality.  Thank you for including me in this important project.  As we say in PFLAG - all we want to do is change the world.

Jayer Laurent (San Diego, CA)
I stand a 100% behind "A Note To My Kid" and their movement and the positive message A Note to My Kid is promoting. There are so many encouraging emails from parents, friends, family etc. of acceptance. The positive impact that this website could have on anyone who hasn't come out or came to terms with their sexuality is phenomenal; I wish I would have knew about this website and it's core fundamentals, while I was going through that life changing process.  I love to talk about A Note To My Kid because this organizations positive message needs and deserves to be widespread.

Cassandra Overton (San Francisco, CA)
It is my honor to give something back to a community that has given so much to me.

Several years ago I found myself feeling alone and confused about many things unrelated to my sexuality or lifestyle. I visited some friends in a predominately LGBT community and wound up living there for a time. This community accepted me unconditionally. As a result I established incredible friendships, the kinds that never fade. I experienced complete love and acceptance. Let me be clear that this was real life, not a fairytale; we had disagreements and spats from time to time. Therefore, I gained a family in the truest sense of the word, a wonderful, strong and supportive family. I endeavor to promote the same acceptance of the community that so willingly extended it to me.

Teaming up with A Note To My Kid was less of a choice and more of a serendipitous opportunity to spread our shared values with a broader range of people. My message to the LGBTQ community is that you are perfect the way you are, you are valued, you have my support and the support of countless others, and you are never alone!

Blake Richardson (Orlando, Florida)
“…My gift is my song, and this one’s for you.”

As a singer, music is the greatest gift I can give to someone. However, as a person, love is the greatest and ultimate gift that I can give to someone, to you.

Growing up in South Georgia and being brought up within a rather large family, I learned quickly about the importance of two things: the meaning of family and love.  A family can be made up of several things; relatives, friends, online friends, coworkers, team members, etc. My biggest family, besides my actual family of relatives, is my family of friends. They are my biggest support system and provide love beyond words, and aNoteToMyKid.com is a huge part of that family of friends. As an ambassador, a friend, a brother, I invite you to become apart of our family and experience the unconditional love that myself and the rest of the aNoteToMyKid.com family has to offer. Share with us your passion and your love for others within the LBGTQ community. Remember that we, your family, are much better people for having you in our lives. Keep smiling and always know that you are, and will always be, loved.

Jason Willis (Abingdon, Virginina)
I must admit, I'm a dreamer--I want to make the world a better place.  A Note To My Kid provides a simple and elegant solution for making this dream into a reality by providing a platform for sharing unconditional love.

Unconditional love is powerful, and sharing it is an equally powerful method of inspiring others to do the same.  It is this simple, beautiful cycle that makes this organization so special.  See Love--Share Love.  That is why I have become such an advocate of ANTMK.  Likewise, as a PFLAG President, I recognize the incredible potential these inspiring, encouraging and sincere notes have for my members, and the world at large.