A lot of parents are proud of their LGBTQ children, but not all of them would show that pride in tattoo ink like John Atwell would.
John’s story surfaced after his daughter, Kaitlyn, posted screenshots of her text conversation with him to Twitter on June 30.
I convinced my dad to get his first tattoo and he sent me something that my little sister painted….let’s just say I’m a crying mess right now ??? pic.twitter.com/x2OWosb8aV
— moon (@kaitlynnatwell) July 1, 2019
“I convinced my dad to get his first tattoo and he sent me something that my little sister painted,” she wrote in the caption of the post. “Let’s just say I’m a crying mess right now”
Related: Parents surprise trans son with matching trans flag tattoos
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In the text thread, Kaitlyn asks John whether he’d get the black-and-white version of her sister’s artwork or the color. And just check out his response:
“I think I’d have to get the color. She put the colors for a reason. It’s almost pride like right? I do have two gay daughters whom I’m very proud of, so I think I would definitely get the color.”
“I love you so much, my heart is bursting right now,” Kaitlyn responded. “Thank you for loving me and for loving who I love and for treating us like we’re literally just human beings who like other human beings.”
He wrote back: “You just made me cry! I love you and your sisters with every once of me kid!”
As the story went viral — with 52k retweets and 352k likes by last count — Kaitlyn told her Twitter followers that John was “crying AGAIN” from the online response to their story. “He’s so proud of each of you even if your parents don’t feel the same way,” she added.
Related: Gay dad is furious when his son gets a tattoo — until he sees what it is
Before long, John had created his own Twitter account. “I’m very overwhelmed and humbled by all of the attention my daughters tweet has garnered,” he wrote in his second-ever tweet. “I’m by no means anything special. I just love my kids. I’ll have Kaitlyn update when I get my tattoo!”
My best pal ??? pic.twitter.com/i7Xx96h9Hq
— moon (@kaitlynnatwell) July 2, 2019
Terrycloth
I wonder if he would be as supportive if it was his son who is gay
dinard38
That’s an odd question. Why wouldn’t he be as supportive if it was his son? He said in his tweet, “I’m by no means anything special. I just love my kids.” My kids….not just my daughters. So I just don’t see him treating a gay son any different.
Bryguyf69
What indicates that he wouldn’t? In the video, he is pretending to play a guitar with a mop. Air guitaring is usually a teen male activity so i can definitely see him acting just as silly with a son. As such, why wouldn’t be love his sons as much as his daughter, regardless of orientation? Does he strike you as someone whose masculinity is threatened by having a gay offspring?
Bryguyf69
Love this guy, seems like a cool very-involved dad in so many ways. He’s clearly not ashamed of his gay daughters as evidenced by his Twitter involvement and willingness to have the tattoo on his arm. I hate to say this but it may not be a great idea to have it so visible. Not that there’s anything wrong with being assumed gay — but it can lead to awkward moments by potential suitors.
When I was younger (and firmer), gay friends and patients gave me lots of LGBT pins and buttons (I have 50+). Many adorn my office bulletin board, but I also rotated a few on my knapsack, e.g. a rainbow lapel pin and a pink triangle. I got asked out more than a few times when walking or dining in Chelsea or the West Village. My girlfriend and companions were amused but it did get awkward. After I stopped wearing the pins, much fewer men approached me. Or maybe I was just getting older and flabbier…? Regardles, I miss those days. Maybe it’s time to take out the pins again and masturbate my ego…?