Queer Elf Replies to Boy’s Heartbreaking Letter to Santa

Get ready to break out the tissues.

Last month, the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) Operation Santa, which coordinates responses to letters addressed to jolly ol’ Saint Nick, shared a heartbreaking message from a boy named Will.

His letter reads: “Dear Santa, do you support the LGBTQ community, and if you can speak to God, can you tell him I love him, and if he loves me for being gay? Thank you. Love, Will.”

This letter to Santa broke my heart. pic.twitter.com/NWbum1rvaX

— Nancy Cruz-Garcia ???????? (@Nancy_Cruises) November 22, 2020

The letter broke the hearts of many after it was shared on Twitter, but luckily, it has been revealed that Will received an incredible response.

Michael Muñoz, a queer, Latino volunteer elf who works with Operation Santa and appeared in a new documentary called Dear Santa that focuses on the USPS project, responded.

Muñoz felt that he needed a break from his volunteer elf duties, until he saw Will’s letter.

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I was heartbroken, point-blank,” he told The Advocate. “Every year, I read dozens of letters from children; some ask for toys, but most ask for clothes or presents for their moms, as they can’t afford anything. What made this different and really difficult for me to read was that he didn’t ask for anything physical.”

“All he wanted was to know that he was loved and accepted,”Muñoz continued. “So, how could I not answer his letter, being a queer, Latino male who growing up had those same feelings? Within minutes, I had texted a dozen or so of my family, chosen and blood, and we were off to the races to make it the biggest, gayest, love-filled Christmas he hopefully will remember forever!”

Muñoz quickly mobilized his network of queer friends and family to send the young boy a collection of LGBTQ-inclusive children’s books and a rainbow Santa hat.

In a message to LGBTQ children who may be having a difficult time during the holiday season, Muñoz added, “Love and joy comes in many forms. Sometimes it finds you, and other times you have to find it for yourself. Unfortunately, there will always be a bully or someone with something negative to say, but if you love yourself, give love, and spread love, they cannot affect you.

“Remember, Rudolph was different, bullied, and dare I say, unloved. But in the end, it was his differences that made him beautiful and a hero. Your differences are what make you unique and beautiful and no one can take that away from you.”

Photos Courtesy of Michael Muñoz and Twitter