Christian parents push against ingrained, religion-fueled prejudices to embrace their LGBTQ+ children as they combine faith with activism in this uplifting and vital documentary from director Daresha Kyi (Chavela, Audience Award winner at Frameline41). The Mama Bears Facebook group has over 32,000 members, many from conservative Christian backgrounds, all united in support of their kids and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Kyi focuses on three of these moms. Kimberly is mother to a small trans daughter, and Sara has a gay adult son. Mama Bears highlights their journeys to not only accept and love their children unconditionally but to become advocates for entire communities. Meanwhile, Black lesbian Tammi relates a lifetime struggles within her family and church, underlining the urgency of the Mama Bears’ work on a personal level.

At a time of Texas anti-trans legislation, Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, legal maneuvers against trans women athletes, and ongoing homo- and transphobia, the personal is political. Mama Bears is a riveting depiction of these moms and their allies turning love into action.