Send us Fan Mail Pride is often celebrated with glitter, music, and rainbow flags—but at its heart, Pride has always been about something much deeper: showing up in love and solidarity so that no one has to wonder if they're alone. Today, we're talking with some of the Mama Dragons who set up booths at Pride festivals across the country, creating spaces where families could find hope, connection, and unconditional love. Joining Sara In the Den are three incredible volunteers: Yanira from Puerto Rico, Jill from Kansas, and Maria from Maryland. Though their communities are hundreds of miles apart, they share a common mission: to make sure every LGBTQ+ person, every questioning child, and every parent who feels overwhelmed knows there's a place where they belong. Whether you've marched in dozens of Pride parades or have never attended one, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful act of allyship is simply showing up—with an open heart, a listening ear, and the promise that no one has to walk this journey alone. Special Guest: Maria Smith Maria currently serves on the Board of Mama Dragons. Her 15+ year career in the financial services industry has been defined by a deep commitment to building inclusive, supportive environments within the workplace. She joined Mama Dragons to learn how to best support her queer child and has become an even more passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ youth and families. Maria lives in Maryland with her husband, their two children, and two Puggles. Her life is guided by empathy, action, and the belief that every person deserves to be seen, loved, and supported for exactly who they are. Special Guest: Jill Clements Jill is a mom of 3 living in the Midwestern United States. She coordinates the Mama Dragons Embracelet program. An Embracelet is a handmade bracelet that is like a warm hug around your wrist to remind you that you are loved. Since its inception in 2023, over 42,000 embracelets have been given out by Mama Dragons at events. Over the past four years she’s helped coordinate the Mama Dragons Pride Booth in Kansas City, MO which hosts over 25,000 attendees each year. A social worker by trade, Jill often can be found giving of her time and resources to a variety of causes whether it is parents of trans kids or kids affected by a parent’s cancer. In her dream world, Jill would be living in Iceland spending her days hiking and making art and her nights photographing the Northern Lights. Special Guest: Yanira Vega Yanira lives in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, and is the mother of a young transmasculine son and a daughter. She has been a member of Mama Dragons since 2021, when she sought self-help resources and education to address her gender-diverse family’s experience with an affirming approach. That same year, she volunteered to help coordinate MD groups and assist with the vetting and moderation processes for some groups. Puerto Rico has had its own regional group since 2024, and on March 28, 2026, they held their first local community education event at the closing of the True Self Camp for Respect, where they shared Mama Dragons’ mission to support mothers and families in their journeys and highlighted all the programs available to assist them. Their next event will be on June 27 at the All Out 5k. Yanira is a doctor in Physical Therapy working in home health settings. Links from the Show: Join Mama Dragons today In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast
