Dad has the best response to neighbor saying he 'failed' as parent of two gay kids

Affirmative action from parents can mean the world of difference to a kid. It's one thing to support your LGBTQ+ kids but it's a whole other thing to celebrate it. When a man's new neighbor tried to shame him for having two gay kids, he planted pride flags around his home to send a clear message that bigotry won't be entertained in any form. The internet can't get enough of the dad, who couldn't have responded in a better manner than sticking these giant pride flags in his hedge. The video of the man setting up the pride flags was shared online by one of his children on TikTok. The user @fitxander captioned the video: "Some AWESOME shade from my dad."

The video went viral garnering more than 20 million views and 2.1 million likes. The onscreen text read: "My dad's new neighbor said having 2 gay kids means he failed as a parent... So DAD took a moment then replied with this... No, saying things like that does." The video was shot from inside the home and shows him setting up a pride wall with giant flags. TikTok user @fitxander also shared that his dad reached this place after a long journey. He said his father wasn't always supportive. In a video, he explained his father was ashamed of learning that he and his sister were gay. He admitted to being conservative, Trump-supporting, homophobic and bigoted, reported Comicsands. It was his wife's death that caused this change in him. He soon learned that his bigotry had resulted in him rejecting and alienating his own family, friends and community because of their sexual preferences. He wanted to right his mistakes and opened up to his children. 

He became more inclusive and unlearned decades of conditioning. He made a conscious effort to support his children and grandchildren. In a pivotal moment, he came out in support of a neighbor who came out as gay in his 70s and was ostracized by his family. Many shared their personal stories of their parents and loved ones standing up for them in the face of bigoted people. 

The pride flag is a symbol of hope and inclusivity. It's been more than 40 years since San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker designed the rainbow flag as a symbol of the gay community. As we reported, the pride flag still holds such power and offers much hope to the LGBTQIA++ community, as was proved by a scribbled letter dropped into the mailbox in a small town in Paris, Arkansas. Stephanie Robertson had been handed the pride flag by her 30-year-old son last year, she decided to hang it up outside her home during pride month. "She was excited to hang it up for the first time this year and kept it hanging up outside her home all throughout June," said Levi. 

Stephanie Robertson is a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve and currently works part-time as a support specialist for the Forest Service at Ozark St Francis National Forest. She wanted to show support to the LGBTQIA++ community by hanging the flag but she probably didn't realize how much that gesture meant until she received a handwritten letter thanking her for the support. "She texted me yesterday and was like, 'You're not gonna believe the letter I found in our mailbox,' and sent me a photo of the letter." The letter was scribbled on notepad paper and signed off as a "young LGBTQ+ person."  

"Hello, this is probably kinda weird but I walk past your house every day and I've noticed your flag and I'm glad to know there is at least one ally in this little town," read the incredibly cute letter. Levi was moved by the letter and rang up his mom. "I immediately called her and told her how profound and awesome it was that her hanging [the flag] made a child feel seen. She agreed and kept saying how she couldn't get over how sweet it was."