5 celebrity gay dads celebrating Father’s Day – from Ricky Martin to Matt Bomer and Neil Patrick Harris – who have inspired LGBT families everywhere
Same-sex parenting remains a controversial issue and is a taboo even today. Yet most studies have debunked myths that same-sex parenting could pose harm to a child’s well-being. And reports show that children with two mums or two dads seem to be more resilient, compassionate and tolerant.
In celebration of Father’s Day and Pride month, STYLE highlights five influential celebrity gay dads who have challenged outdated perceptions of same-sex parenting and have inspired ordinary LGBTQ+ families everywhere.
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Anderson Cooper
Last month, CNN journalist Anderson Cooper announced the arrival of his newborn baby boy, Wyatt, and will be co-parenting with his former partner, Benjamin Maisani. On his Instagram post, Anderson thought it would be impossible for him to have a child and he thanked doctors, nurses and the remarkable surrogate.
On The Howard Stern Show he said his decision was influenced by his childhood. “It was just my mum and my brother, and mum was not the most parental person and I wish some adult after my dad died had stepped in.”
Matt Bomer and Simon Halls
Matt Bomer has three kids with his publicist husband, Simon Halls. On the premiere of The Normal Heart in Los Angeles, Bomer said parenting is a huge responsibility and it is a balancing act. He told People he wants to raise his kids “without changing how they came into the world”. He added, “To just give them the structure they need to thrive in the world but at the same time let their own personalities shine through. Some days that’s easier than others.”
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Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef
Last year, Ricky Martin and his husband, Jwan Yosef, welcomed his fourth child, Renn Martin-Yosef to their family. He wants his 10-year-old twins to cherish their childhood and remain grounded. “Even though they travel with me everywhere and we go around the world and they’re so exposed to so many things, they are still kids,” he told ABC News. In a cover profile for Out, he wants to normalise same-sex parenting and set an example for other LGBTQ+ families.
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka
Neil and David have built a reputation for nailing Halloween outfits every October since welcoming their twins via surrogacy in 2011. On his parenting style, he tries not to be too formal and has performed magic to pacify his kids.
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B.D. Wong and Richie Jackson
B.D. Wong and his former partner, talent agent Richie Jackson had twin sons – Boaz Dov who only lived 90 minutes and Jackson – via surrogacy. Although separated, Wong still co-parents his son with Richie and his partner Jordan Roth. Jackson is also openly gay and came out at 15.
This year, Richie wrote and dedicated a book for his son, Gay Like Me, which tackles what it means to be gay in America.
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Influential gay fathers including Anderson Cooper and B.D. Wong are challenging the myths surrounding same-sex parenting