Father’s Day 2024: celebrity gay dads | Image: INQUIRER.net
Over the years, the definition of a father has transcended norms and stereotypes. Gay dads, may they be public figures or not, have proven that the beauty and authenticity of building a family go above and beyond gender identity.
As we celebrate Father’s Day 2024 and Pride Month, we focus the spotlight on the celebrity gay dads, who show the significance of breaking barriers and setting new narratives, by showing their ways of raising families, inspiring others, and also paving the way for a more inclusive, accepting world.
Paolo Ballesteros
Behind the glitz and glamour of being a host, actor, comedian and drag queen, Ballesteros is a proud and loving father to his daughter, Keira. The Kapuso star is in a co-parenting arrangement with his non-showbiz ex-girlfriend, Katrina Nevada.
After coming out in 2019, the “Eat Bulaga” host shared in an interview the following year that his daughter accepts him for who he is and affirmed that he tries not to hide his real self from his daughter.
“Luckily, my daughter is a bright kid. So, wala nang ano ‘yun, wala nang problema,” he said at the time. “Ayoko naman din magtago. Bahay ko ‘yun ‘tsaka anak ko siya ‘tapos magtago ako?”
Despite being a public figure, Ballesterros tries to maintain a private life when it comes to his daughter, but he sometimes shares some sweet bonding moments with her, as he is the kind of father who makes dresses and even does his daughter’s makeup.
Just recently, the actor-host made headlines after he accompanied Keira to her prom.
Ogie Diaz
Actor and entertainment reporter Diaz is an open member of the LGBTQ+ community but a loving partner to Georgette del Rosario, who bore him five daughters.
The talent manager shared in some interviews that he met his partner in a comedy bar and they had a dare, which he lost, making them end up pursuing a life together.
“Kung ako ay tunay na lalaki, hindi ako papatulan niyan. Gusto niya kasi yung lambutin, hindi nagbibihis babae pero bading,” said the comedian.
The “Palibhasa Lalaki” actor shared that his family, including his children, accepts him for who he is.
“Bading na ko no’n 7 years old pa lang ako tatay ko walang pakialam, nanay ko rin,” he said. “Sinabi sa akin ng isang psychologist na okay lang (maging ako), as long as I am present for my children.”
Diaz has been with del Rosario for almost 25 years.
Arnel Ignacio
TV host turned politician Ignacio is one proud father to his unica hija, Sofia, who is now 27 years old and a certified microblading artist who manages their own hair replacement company.
The former “All Star K” host shared in an interview that as his daughter grows older, they become an “unbeatable team” and develop a more “stable” father-daughter relationship.
“We became an unbeatable team,” he expressed. “We are business partners; we are together at home constantly. I sought her out for anything that needed to be done in the house. We have a very stable relationship now. We learned to adjust to a lot of things to avoid any conflict between us. We’re way past the fighting.”
Ignacio is co-parenting his daughter with his former wife, Frannie, whom he was in a relationship with for 12 years before they got separated in 2004. Their marriage has not yet been annulled.
Jovit Moya
Beginning his career as an actor in the 1980s, Moya has another role that remains significant to him to this day, and that is being a father to his nine children from different mothers, including his son Rob Moya, who’s also an actor.
Rob, who’s known for his role in “Alyas Robin Hood,” said in an interview that he has no problem with his dad being gay.
“I have no problem with him being gay; it doesn’t affect me. When he admitted that fact to me, I was surprised, but that was it. He has always loved me and taken care of me, and I’m proud of him,” he said at the time.
The “That’s Entertainment” alum is now a health advocate, neuroscience researcher, and university professor.
Did you know that newbie actor Rob Moya is the son of That’s Entertainment alum Jovit Moya? https://t.co/1AwEMyUEPJ pic.twitter.com/Y7CXVL6539
— GMA Network (@gmanetwork) March 17, 2016
Joel Cruz
An entrepreneur and perfume mogul, Cruz is a proud gay dad to eight children: Prince Sean, Princess Synne, Harry, Harvey, Prince Charles, Princess Charlotte and Zeid, who were all born via IVF, or in vitro fertilization. The children were conceived by a surrogate mom who’s from Russia.
Cruz recently shared with Carmina Villaroel on “Sarap Di Ba?” that his children are aware of how they were conceived and the situation with their surrogate mother, if ever the time comes when they will look for her.
“They have freedom. They can go there; they can be with their mom. Kinukuwento ko naman kasi sa kanila na their mother; she’s very generous; she’s very caring. Pero alam nila na ang mommy nila, may daddy. May pamilya sila, may anak. Talagang tinulungan niya lang ako para magkaanak,” he said.
“Alam na nila ‘yun, na ganoon ang sitwasyon namin. Alam din nila na may money involvement… para malaman talaga nila ang katotohanan. Ayaw ko kasi magsekreto eh… Alam ng tao, lahat ang buhay ko. Ayaw ko manggaling sa ibang tao na nagsinungaling ako, kaya lahat sinasabi ko,” added the CEO.
Elton John
The musical legend is a loving husband to David Furnish and a proud parent to their two sons, Zachary Furnish-John and Elijah Furnish-John. Elton and Furnish tied the knot in 2014 but have been together for over 30 years.
Despite living a public life as a celebrity, Elton and his partner try to keep their sons away from the limelight, rarely posting them on social media. They tend to celebrate the birthdays of the boys every year and post their cakes only.
The “Your Song” singer described his children as the “greatest decision” he ever made.
“That was the greatest decision I’ve made—well, we’ve made in the last six years—to have those boys. They’re our primary concern. They’re the things that come first and foremost,” said the veteran singer-songwriter.
Neil Patrick Harris
Known for his role as Barney Stinson in the TV series “How I Met Your Mother,” Harris came out as gay in November 2006 and has been in a relationship with actor and chef David Burtka since April 2004. In October 2010, they became parents to twins, son Gideon and daughter Harper, born via a surrogate mother.
Last year, Harris took to Instagram to greet his teenage children on their birthday.
“And, just like that, they’re teenagers,” he wrote in the caption. “Happy birthday, Harper and Gideon. You are the lights of my life. I can’t wait to watch you. You want nothing to do with me, and I promise I’ll be with you through all of it. Just, wow.”
The couple shared in an interview that they will not allow their twins to use social media until they’re 16.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Known for his role in the sitcom “Modern Family,” Ferguson is married to Justin Mikita and lives with their toddler sons, Beckett Mercer and Sullivan Louis, who were conceived through surrogacy.
Ferguson said in an interview with People Magazine that he and his husband are both hands-on parents, also expressing how wonderful and scary it is to be a father.
“I love my husband very much,” he said. “But there’s something about this tiny person who relies on you so much; it breaks your heart open in a very unique way that I’ve never experienced before.”
“And it’s scary too because you understand what true heartbreak would feel like if something bad happened to that person that you love. It’s also that feeling of totally unconditional love and that cliche of your heart living outside your body. It’s a wonderful feeling, and it’s also terrifying,” added the actor.