An LGBTQ supporter was photographed offering free ‘dad hugs’ to activists in need of a supportive father figure at the pride parade that took place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on June 9.
As Howie Dittman explained, he was not only willing to share hugs but also to act as a surrogate dad to those in need of a supportive parent.
“We gave out hundreds of hugs. Hundreds. Some were super happy hugs,” Dittman shared on Facebook along with two photos in which he’s seen wearing a T-shirt that read: “Free Dad Hugs.”
Dittman joined the parade along with his friends including a woman who wore a similar shirt with “free mom hugs” written on it.
Speaking of the heartbreaking pictures he shared, Dittman said:
“But others were like these two… and there were way too many like them.”
As the man went on to add, one 19-year-old approached him and shared his story of how he got kicked out of the family after coming out as gay.
“He cried on my shoulder. Sobbed. Squeezed me with everything he had. I felt a tiny bit of that pain that he carries with him every minute of every day. He was abandoned because of who he loves,” he explained.
Soon enough, another activist, a woman, approached Dittman with tears in her eyes.
“She stood in front of me and looked up at me, with a look of sadness and helplessness that I’ll never forget,” the ‘surrogate’ father added.
“She hugged me with everything she had. And I hugged her back. She held on for so long, melting into me, and thanked me endlessly.
“And I can’t stop thinking about her. What she must be going thru with her family… the ones who are supposed to be there for her no matter what. Who does she go to when she needs advice on love, money or just life? Who does she share old memories with that only her parents would have been there for? What are her holidays like?
“How often does she hope for that phone call, with unconditional love on the other end? I don’t know her story. But it doesn’t feel like a huge leap to assume she’s lost those who should love her the most and forever.”
Pleading with parents to try to understand and support their children regardless of who they choose to love, Mr. Dittman added:
“Imagine that your child feels SO LOST FROM YOU that they sink into the arms of a complete stranger and sob endlessly just because that stranger is wearing a shirt offering hugs from a dad.
“Think of the depths of their pain. Try to imagine how deep those cuts must be. Please don’t be the parent of a child that has to shoulder that burden. I met WAY too many of them, of all ages, today.”
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