About
A father, a pastor, and a learner.
My name is Bob Mooney.
I am a husband, father, and Lutheran pastor.
I come to this work as a father, pastor, and learner — not as a licensed therapist. What I offer is story, spiritual reflection, compassionate pastoral wisdom, guided conversation, and practical support — always in collaboration with those who bring clinical, educational, and LGBTQ+ community expertise.
At its best, Stay Close helps parents ask better questions:
How do I love my child well?
How do I listen without rushing to explain?
How do I repair what I may have broken?
How do I celebrate my child's life and relationships?
How do I stay connected over time?
What Stay Close is — and is not:
Stay Close is not about changing LGBTQ+ children. It is not conversion therapy. It is not about fixing, correcting, or debating anyone's dignity.
This work is for parents. It is about helping parents grow in love, humility, courage, and connection — moving from fear toward love, from silence toward honest conversation, and from distance toward repair.
If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can't survive.
- Brené Brown, Daring Greatly
The Stay Close project is very much needed as a refreshing voice of truth in today's contemporary culture. When parents relationally cut off a child for harboring or practicing different sociological beliefs and behaviors, it is damaging. Maintaining healthy attachment, unconditional love, and understanding, despite potential different perspectives, is crucial for building and sustaining the relationship between parent(s) and children. This demonstrates God’s unconditional and sacrificial love for us, as exemplified in Jesus Christ. Thank you, Pastor Bob, for using your story to powerfully and poignantly address a stigmatizing and sensitive topic with love, lived experience, and expertise.
- Erin Ramachandran, PsyD
Co-Founder and Executive Director of
Restore Therapy Center