Hugs for Heroes
Honoring Champions of LGBTQ+ Love and Acceptance
Hugs for Heroes is a quarterly recognition project from Mama Dragons, wrapping influential allies and advocates in the warmth of our community - one handmade blanket at a time. These blankets, created with love by Mama Dragons volunteers, symbolize our gratitude for those who stand up, speak out, and create a more affirming world for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.
Every quarter, Mama Dragons selects a hero - someone making a powerful impact in supporting and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Whether through advocacy, leadership, or unwavering love, these individuals remind us that love and acceptance change lives.
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A handmade blanket represents comfort, care, and the power of community - something every hero deserves. Each stitch is a thank you for the work they do to build a better, more inclusive world.
Hugs for Heroes Recipients:
Mariann Budde
We have sent our very first Hugs For Heroes blanket! Bishop Mariann Budde is our very first recipient. Rev Budde played a significant role in LGBTQ+ history when she oversaw the interment of Matthew Shepard’s remains at the National Cathedral - the same building in which she would address Trump nearly seven years later with her inaugural sermon
Sarah McBride
Mama Dragons is proud to name Congresswoman Sarah McBride as the next recipient of our Hugs for Heroes blanket - a symbol of gratitude, strength, and fierce love.
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Sarah serves as a ray of hope for so many of our mamas. Her historic journey - from becoming the first openly transgender state senator in the U.S. to now serving as the U.S. Representative for Delaware’s at-large district - reminds us what’s possible when courage meets compassion.
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From championing anti-discrimination laws in Delaware, to shaping national conversations on transgender rights, to inspiring President Biden’s own evolution on these issues, Sarah McBride has shown the world that authenticity is power.
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In a time when so many of our families are under attack, Sarah’s leadership lights the way forward - and we are honored to wrap her in love from the Mama Dragons community.
Mercury Stardust
Mercury Stardust is our Hugs For Heroes Quarter Three recipient.
Mercury Stardust, also known as the Trans Handy Ma’am, helps others with DIY projects. She empowers women with a can-do attitude, breaking gender barriers, and uses her voice and her gifts to help others and advocate for the LGBTQ community.
Carl Charles
Carl Charles is Counsel in the Southern Regional Office of Lambda Legal, located in Atlanta, Georgia. During his time at Lambda Legal, Carl has been involved in litigating many cases expanding and solidifying federal civil rights protections for transgender people. We sent a beautiful calming blue blanket to wrap him in love and support from our community.
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Carl has recently been indicted in Alabama with a felony for making a false statement before a court. He has pleaded not guilty and Lambda Legal is in full support of him.
Chase Strangio
We have our Hugs for Heroes recipient for the 4th quarter of 2025! You all probably recognize attorney Chase Strangio because he was featured in the documentary "Heightened Scrutiny". Chase is the first transgender attorney to argue a case before the Supreme Court of the United States. Although the case was decided against transgender rights, Chase presented our side brilliantly at great personal cost, and he greatly raised awareness of LGBTQIA+ rights, inequities and struggles through the lawsuit and the documentary.
Letitia James
We have another Hugs for Heroes recipient! We are honoring New York Attorney General Letitia James who is fighting the DOJ’s subpoenas for patient records related to gender-affirming care AND the elimination of federal funds for gender-affirming care. Saying, “I will use every tool at my disposal to fight this proposal and protect transgender Americans and their families”, AG James has joined various coalitions to bring legal proceedings against unjust policies targeting LGBTQIA+ people and communities.
Chris Mosier
Chris Mosier is a great friend and supporter of Mama Dragons and has fought valiantly for transgender athletes. Thank you so much for all you do, Chris!
Amber Glenn
Congratulations to Amber Glennn, U.S. Olympic figure skater, for being the 1st Quarter of 2026 Hugs for Heroes recipient! As an openly bisexual/pansexual figure skater, Amber consistently repped the LGBTQ+ community at the 2026 Olympics in Italy, in big and little ways.
