Plaintiff Wayne Maines' Remarks at GLAD's 2011 Spirit of Justice Award Dinner

[AilynnStarlight]

God bless you and your sweet family! I'm a Christian myself, but I am also transgendered. Jesus preached LOVE...not hate. Please know that there are many Christians who support you, and most importantly, God loves you and feels your pain. I'll be keeping you in my prayers, and thank you for being such a wonderful representation of humanity. (Hugs)

[bflipsful]

your family's courage and determination is so inspiring and important and heroic! i just want to grab you all up in my arms and hug you! you are beautiful, nicole! you are brave! your family is beautiful! reading your story and hearing your words, i have cried many times- tears of joy, tears of sorrow, tears of understanding. thank you for your bravery, Maines family! you have many huge, beating hearts feeling you and acknowledging you and understanding you. we love you and THANK you.

[5090karen]

How wonderful this family is. How life-affirming for them, and for their daughter Nicole. For me, though, it's sixty years too late. I sit here with tears in my eyes watching this sweet man, this brave father, stand up for his daughter, and stand up for what is right. Blessings to you, Wayne Maines, and hooray for you, Nicole Maines.

[kricketsong8]

I am deeply moved. What an inspiration this man and his family are, and what a blessing he and his wife are to their children.

[missusdakey]

Nicole is so lucky to have such a warm and supportive family!

[savvysinger17]

This is so inspiring. Thank you for being an amazing person.

[hkdollie]

what a wonderful family!

[figger19]

Wayne, Nikki and the whole Maines family! Keep up the fight! We support you and you will succeed. Thank you for being open and for standing up to bigotry!

Michelle xoxo.

[tkjaeg]

As a dad, I am so proud of you! Your son and daughter are beautiful.

[mrsjabob]

What a wonderful example of what a parent should be, supportive and accepting!! All parents should take a page from this man's book. Please, parents... love your kids unconditionally, even if they do not live up to what you expected them to be. They are still your kids, and deserve your unconditional love. I am a happily married woman who has a beautiful daughter, and no matter if she is gay, straight or transgendered, she will always be the light of my life!

[Alexrockstheboat]

Phenomenal. What a fantastic man and father. It's beautiful to see him stand for his daughter.

[Accurrett]

God bless you Wayne. I can only pray that there are more people like you in the world. Im very sorry this is happening and has happened to you and your family. I have been through what you daughter goes through. You really are such an amazing and special person. She will never forgot how great you have been. Those memories , I am sure, she will hold hold dear to her heart for eternity.

[kabardinka1]

This is a great dad sounds like.

[coffey3c]

@kabardinka1 This IS what a great dad sounds like.

[maine044]

Maine needs more Dads like you! Thank you!

[addlam0820]

I am overwhelmed with emotion! You are such a wonderful Dad to stand up for your daughter they way you and your entire family is! I am so proud of you! Jonas and Nicole are so lucky to have you and your wife as their parents. Think how great this world to be if all children has the support, love and understanding you give your kids!

[Neogal]

Wayne... you are super dad. I'm honored to know you. May we use this video in our training sessions? We will not publicly distribute it, but it would be so amazing to be able to show people what a super dad and family looks like.