How can I tell my kids things will be ok when I don't know if that's true?

As a wife, mother, and small business owner, I’ve always believed in the power of community, connection, and resilience. My life’s work centers around building confidence in others, creating spaces of inclusivity, and showing people that they belong. At Dapper Boi, we’ve built more than just an inclusive clothing brand — we’ve built a mission to help people feel seen, valued, and confident in who they are.

But in today’s divided political and cultural landscape, holding onto that belief feels harder — and more necessary — than ever.

The recent election has brought up a whirlwind of emotions for me, my family, and so many in the LGBTQ+ community. My wife and I voted for leadership that values inclusivity, justice, and progress. We hoped for a future where our children could grow up feeling safe and accepted, where policies would reflect compassion, and where our rights and identities would remain protected.

But the morning after the election, one of our six-year-old twins asked a question that stopped me in my tracks: “Will the new president make me have a daddy?”

Her words broke my heart. She’s so young, so innocent, yet already grappling with fears that no child should have to carry. As parents we reassured her, but I couldn’t shake the weight of her question. How do I promise her safety and acceptance when I’m asking the same things myself?

This isn’t just about my family — it’s about countless LGBTQ+ families navigating a world where our rights feel precarious. Policies that claim to be about “values” often target our ability to live freely, love openly, and raise our children in safety.

As a small business owner, these policies take on even more dimensions. They affect not just my personal life but my livelihood. Small businesses like Dapper Boi feel the immediate impact of economic shifts, tariffs, and laws that aim to restrict or exclude. We don’t have the cushion of big corporations to absorb these challenges. Instead, we rely on resilience, creativity, and the support of our communities to keep going.

I know I’m not alone in these struggles. Across the country, LGBTQ+ business owners are facing similar fears and uncertainties. And yet, I see so much strength in this community. I see people rising up, creating spaces of love and acceptance, and continuing to build despite the odds. It’s this resilience that gives me hope — not just for my family but for all of us.

I think about the families who’ve reached out to me, sharing their stories of finding representation and belonging in the work we do. One mother told me how her transgender son, struggling with depression, felt seen for the first time after discovering Dapper Boi. Stories like these remind me why we fight so hard, why we persist. It’s about more than survival — it’s about showing up for those who need to know they’re not alone.

But resilience isn’t easy. It requires acknowledging the hard truths, even when they hurt. I’ve had family members vote for policies that directly harm LGBTQ+ people and families like mine. They’ve told me it wasn’t personal, that they were voting for financial security or “traditional values.” But how can I not take it personally when the outcome of those choices affects my rights, my marriage, and my ability to raise my children without fear?

These aren’t abstract political disagreements — they’re deeply personal realities. And yet, I know that holding onto anger or withdrawing entirely won’t build the bridges we need.

I don’t have all the answers, but I do know this: Resilience is a choice. It’s in the way we show up for our communities, the way we keep building even when it feels hard, and the way we continue to foster connection, even in the face of division. For me, that means continuing to create spaces of love and acceptance through my work, continuing to advocate for inclusion, and continuing to raise my children with the values of empathy and strength.

To other LGBTQ+ small business owners and families: You are not alone. Your work matters. Your presence matters. And your resilience matters. Together, we have the power to create change, to foster hope, and to build a future where everyone belongs.

If you believe in that future, let your actions reflect your values. Support the businesses that fight for representation and equality. Every act of support, every choice to buy with purpose, is a step toward the world we all want to see.

At the end of the day, I hold onto the belief that people are capable of goodness, of growth, and of coming together. And I’ll continue to show up — for my family, for my community, and for the future we all deserve.

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Originally published here.