The father of a 15-year-old gay son sent a powerful message to this world this week, as the pair raised an ally pride flag outside their home. Video of the flag-raising has since gone viral on TikTok.
John Wyatt, 45, helped commemorate the one-year anniversary of his son, Caden’s, coming out by raising the ally pride flag outside their Owasso, Oklahoma home. As an added effect, Lady Gaga‘s “Born this Way” played in the background.
@wyattearptulsa Happy Pride Month to y’all, especially to my son! Love you @cadenwyatt12 #pridemonth #pride2021???? #ally #prouddad #proudmom Just do you boo…??
“We are fixin’ to shock Oklahoma,” Wyatt says in the video with a puckish grin.
“We’re letting people know it’s a safe place,” Wyatt elaborated to BuzzFeed. “I’m not trying to cause any controversy in the neighborhood, but maybe there’s some person out there who will see that flag and smile and feel safe.”
Related: Homophobic flat-Earther breaks down in tears during pride flag trial
“I’m really lucky to have such supportive parents, because I know a lot of other people aren’t as lucky as me,” Caden added. “I want people to know that my parents have their back, and so do I.”
In the same interview, the Wyatts also expressed their initial nervousness over flying the flag–they feared it would get stolen, or vandals would deface their home. Fortunately, at the time of this writing, nobody has.
“I was kind of nervous at first, because I didn’t know how people were going to act, but I just don’t really care what they think anymore,” Caden said.
Caden welcomes the acceptance, particularly in a neighborhood chocked with Blue Lives Matter, Trump and Q-Anon flags. For him though, acceptance or hostility won’t stop him from living openly.
“I’m just going to be myself,” he says.
brooks
This was amazing and the kind of support every queer kid hopes for from their parents. Thanks for posting Queerty that even in Oklahoma, there’s allies out there.
TomG
Amen !
chappy51
That’s being a great dad! You are lucky to have an amazing dad, Caden!
bad monkey69
Knowing how conservative that city is this is awesome
Catholicslutbox
I don’t understand the black white. Is that the straight pride flag?
Also, being racist doesn’t mean you cannot be supportive of gays. Several gays are so…. #whitegays
Jack
The black and white represents the straight cis gender community and the rainbow (in an a-shape for allies) represents the LGBTQ+ community. Which makes this even more amazing because everybody living in that house is represented! What a great father.
Openminded
I learned something today, Never knew that flag existed. Great idea, Great story.
Kangol2
This is a great story. That father should be an inspiration to other parents to love their children unconditionally and treat all people with respect and dignity!
GayEGO
How great it is to have a Dad support everyone!