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Gay Man Shares Powerful Story About Being Approached By A Concerned Stranger Asking For Advice About Raising His Son
March 14 | 2019
Jack Remmington was just enjoying the slot machines in Las Vegas when a stranger approached him. Although apprehensive at first, he decided to indulge the man.
Let's just say we're glad he did.
Remmington's story soon went viral:
Ok I just experienced the nicest exchange with a stranger and think it’ll help to share: I was playing on the Maria… https://t.co/cR1kUmRF6v— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546459800.0
I was sitting with @marcoalessifilm, both wearing pink (naturally) and after chatting a little to the guy about Veg… https://t.co/CbvBdTKFdK— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546459888.0
He then asked if we were together so we said no (we’re best friends and he has a fab bf) and he asked if we were ga… https://t.co/UXDagTGWQa— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546459988.0
And here's where things got interesting:
He lit up when talking about his son, and I nearly started crying at how much he clearly loved him. The guy wanted… https://t.co/4oV4ZqHOyT— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546460065.0
This man is SO sweet. From rural Arkansas and said whilst things are so much better now, he still just wants the wo… https://t.co/lN6iOwx5GB— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546460142.0
We both gave a couple of anecdotes from personal experience, largely relating to condoning abstract things when you… https://t.co/VvvlSDdHMx— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546460270.0
We also mentioned not accidentally policing things so as to shame him - for instance, often out of a sense of prote… https://t.co/Bo9nluO4dh— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546460314.0
But we stressed that if this was their feeling it’s important to vocalise this exactly, rather than leaving the chi… https://t.co/QywlWNzIW9— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546460370.0
And here's what he offered:
So in terms of advice to friends or relatives of a potentially queer person, what would fellow queers advise is the… https://t.co/hN31a1xdoC— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546460606.0
For instance - when I was about 12, my v obviously straight brother and I were watching a soap with my dad and ther… https://t.co/oNLXJYca5W— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546460841.0
Knowing that nothing would change stuck with me hugely and I remember that convo as if it was yesterday - it was *c… https://t.co/qsS84Tf7QW— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546460903.0
That man had quite the effect on Remmington, who praised the stranger's parenting:
He also said that the younger brother (10 y/o) had expressed his disapproval of drag queens he’d seen on TV because… https://t.co/Brnvl2yAO3— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546461268.0
He’s clearly doing all the right things and is making his son feel as comfortable as he can. Take notes people this… https://t.co/bCaAfSFqfw— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546461407.0
He really couldn't stop thinking about him:
Still just mulling over this - the dad clearly has no gay people in his life to ask so did his best to ask people w… https://t.co/qRD0BClz81— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546461876.0
And he had more to share:
DMs always v open for anyone with any questions about how best to handle a situation like this! Or for any queers s… https://t.co/d3rQQx2CHW— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546462014.0
To warm your hearts even further I just have to say I’ve had over 50 parents / relatives of queer kids reaching out… https://t.co/bcF8IOfD77— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546503066.0
Also on a purely selfish level the joy I’m getting reading all these messages is overwhelming. Obviously can’t shar… https://t.co/qr4iUeYpi5— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546504184.0
Also one of my favourite responses to the thread is: ‘Express support at times when it’s not a discussion’ This i… https://t.co/o3bg0vguU8— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546505921.0
People loved this heartwarming story:
@jackremmington Heading into chemo this morning and found this wonderful thread. You've given the day a new breath of hope. Many thanks!— Chick Jacobs (@Chick Jacobs) 1546510928.0
@jackremmington The mental image of this man not knowing how to support his potentially gay son immediately going t… https://t.co/jyYQlPV1Er— harley Ⓥ (@harley Ⓥ) 1546503668.0
@jackremmington Literally you’ve just made a huge difference to a family, prime example of fate and everything happ… https://t.co/J4vUzRcpAp— Claire (@Claire) 1546470306.0
@jackremmington As someone who has spent many years feeding my young friends on the streets who were only homeless… https://t.co/U5NMEgILdH— Pixie Poe (@Pixie Poe) 1546495461.0
@jackremmington The dad lucked-out by choosing you two to ask, great work.— Phil Buckley Mellor (@Phil Buckley Mellor) 1546465194.0
@jackremmington Such an amazing thing to see at the beginning of 2019. These are the steps we need to continue on f… https://t.co/W90xOAWfGu— V Y Y (@V Y Y) 1546491626.0
Remmington says he's received some wonderful messages since the story took off:
Seeing a lot of people share this re ‘how to make LGBTQ kids feel comfortable at home’ / coming to terms with thems… https://t.co/sDh0UDk5xq— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546543644.0
The number of parents (particularly dads) reaching out in my DMs is the most beautiful thing to see. Dads into rugb… https://t.co/PncrgiGQzj— jack rem (@jack rem) 1546575468.0
As you should be, sir. As you should be.
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