Gay soldier comes out to his father.

Sorry if this has been posted, but it's worth seeing:

http%3A//newsfeed.time.com/2011/09/20/watch-soldier-tells-father-hes-gay-as-dont-ask-dont-tell-is-repealed/



• That was really emotional.

• Sweet boy.

• Lovely. Great dad.

• bitch is a mumbler who needs subtitles.

• Why YouTube this?

• He's adorable. Love how he says, "yes, sir." He Daddy raised him well.

  Loves Me Some Army Boys

• He has a whole series of YouTube videos, all naturally leading up to this. The story of one soldier in the era of DADT.

• It's his decision to Youtube it, maybe he wants to encourage others. I thought it was great.

• I've watched a lot of his videos and for some reason did not match his voice to that face.

• He's in the Air Force according to this guy, so he's an airman, not a soldier.

  http://www.youtube.com/user/AreYouSuprised%23p/a/f/0/nuce-pujPT8

• all that's missing is the show cane and hat. even with the song and dance, bravo to him.

• he's so hot.

• Bravo! and he's from Alabam-y!!!!

• Even I, who am a cold, emotionless void, got a little sniffly when his dad said that he was proud of him and would always be proud of him.

  The Voice of the Night

• Well, THAT had me in tears for sure!

• I love that he's a Southern Bubba, with expert blonde highlights, too. Can't understand most of that red state dialect, but the message is clear.

• I couldn't hear the father clearly. Did he say that he already knew or suspected that his son was gay?

• Wish he were shirtless. He's hot .

• Would you take a wifebeater as a consolation prize, R18?

  http://www.youtube.com/user/AreYouSuprised%23p/u/2/sofPxZ54UkU

  The Voice of the Night

• Mmm... hot. I hope they had some hot sex afterwards.

• Wife beater works. Would be better wet so his nips were hard but this is good. Thanks!

  r18

• Queerty says this is him.

  http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg615/scaled.php%3Ftn%3D0%26server%3D615%26filename%3Dzbkmt.jpg%26xsize%3D640%26ysize%3D640

• That was wonderful. It's so sad that he has to ask his dad if he'll still love him, but then that's always our fear. Thank you, OP.

• I love that he initially called his father "Daddy." Is that a Southern thing, for grown men to still call their father's Daddy? I grew up without a father, so moments like this warm my heart. Yes, R17, the father says that he's had his suspicions but that the believes the mother is going to be shocked.

• [quote]I love that he initially called his father "Daddy." Is that a Southern thing, for grown men to still call their father's Daddy? Yes.

  The Voice of the Night

• Wow, that really got to me , and I'm usually on here making 911 jokes and l; lauging at dead women in recycling bins. That kid is really brave. Someone need to show this to that fucking closet case coward Anderson Cooper.

• This is the perfect way to personalize the DADT issue, but I wonder how did this manage to garner all this national attention? Did he approve this clip to be broadcast all over the web on various news sites and such outside of YouTube? He's the first page on the AOL home screen, so that's quite a way to come out!

• He'd made a series of videos in the run-up to the official repeal date. He'd never shown his face before. I guess someone was paying attention. It just went viral, like a few of the other stories around today.

  The Voice of the Night

• The things I liked most about this video: The father told his son that he loves him more in one phone call than most sons, straight or gay, hear from their dads in a lifetime. The father gave his son not only what he wanted, but what he needed- unconditional love, support, normalcy and just the right amount of teasing. The son clearly expressed his nervousness about making the call; the father did not show any inclination to make the call about himself. Rather, he heard his son through, accepted him as he is, and chose not to negatively react in any to, or voice any judgement of his son's emotions.

• It's all over the news now. Multiple straight friends have posted the video on Facebook. This is fantastic for gay folks everywhere.

• washingtonpost.com gives a name.

  http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dont-ask-dont-tell-ends-in-quiet-personal-ways/2011/09/20/gIQAn69uiK_story.html

• r27. He went viral before from the Rolling in the Deep-Military cover video..it was all over the news a month ago..Now the singer is going to appear in The Voice.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DeBaskRZDbNA

• He's a drama queen, but it's still sweet.

• 1. Why do I have to see this moment? Doesn't this generation ever have private moments? Must we see and read about every moment. Keeps some things to yourself. Some truths require intimacy. They are a dance between the people involved, not the whole world. 2. Did he ever consider how his "Daddy" might feel about being on You Tube? 3. I think he is wrong to ask his father to tell his mother? An airman can't face his own mother with the truth. God help us when he is face to face with an enemy. 4. The brave action will be if he lives by the morals and values that his father and mother raised him on. 5. Finally, I can't believe that all his fellow comrades are ok with it.

  Anonymous

• R34 Freeper begone!

• Maybe it a result of changing times, but I don't think a conversation like this should be posted online. It's such a personal thing between father and son. I get that he may have felt really strongly compelled to tell his dad at that time, but I also think he should have waited to tell him face to face. Although maybe I'm just getting old...

• [quote]Maybe it a result of changing times, but I don't think a conversation like this should be posted online. It's such a personal thing between father and son. These kids came of age online. They share everything. If Airman Phillips feels like this is something he needs to share, I think that's his right. And I don't think his dad should get a veto: his job, which he performed admirably, was to tell his son how he felt.

  The Voice of the Night

• He has bigger balls than people like Anderson Cooper and Luke Evans. And he's cuter.

• He didn't want his father learning he was gay because of his internet videos so he had to tell him now by phone.

• It is a good day in America for gay people. We haven't had that many. I can't gainsay someone in the military coming out today, no matter how she or he does it. Good for anyone who does. No one is going to take this away from us. Let's not act like we're taking it away from ourselves.

• Sentimental claptrap that has no business being aired public.

• What's with all the cynics? I applaud the kid! It puts a face on "coming out" and may inspire others to do likewise. I don't think he was serious about his father telling his mother for him. He had a smile when he said it and his father laughed. I think it was a bit of humor to lighten the moment. Obviously, it's gonna be harder telling her (for whatever reason) since he chose to tell his father first. Maybe he's not as close with her. The father did mention that he's had his "suspicions" about him (which implies that he has a better understanding of his son) but feels that the mother will be shocked when she is told.

• It's fake. Part of a college theater project.

• He's adorable.I want to comfort him in intimate ways.

• It's on the MSNBC.COM front page:

  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44596987/ns/us_news-life/

• Very sweet, thanks for posting it. His daddy is obviously a good man who raised a good son.

• Please, half of us who come out still have parents "who love us," right then and there. But one thing I've learned is there is a big difference between being loved and being liked. There is a big difference between being loved and being happy for someone. I know my parents love me, but do they like the fact that I am gay? Are they happy for me and my partner? The jury is still out on that.

• I don't think it went well with his mother..he hasn't tweeted since yesterday morning.

• I think he's probably overwhelmed by the attention. He's gone from an anonymous video blogger to a mainstream media symbol in 24 hours.

• He's international, now: The Daily Mail has an article about him. Naturally, they choose the least attractive screenshot....

  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2039870/Dad-Im-gay-Soldier-comes-father-YouTube-Dont-Ask-Dont-Tell-repealed.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

• I was nervous just watching. I'm glad there was a positive outcome.

• Remember your own coming out. Now imagine that the entire world is in on it, watching it, analyizing it, commenting on it... I can't even imagine what this guy is going through.

• He's adorable!

• Featured on both The Daily Show (to surprisingly lukewarm applause) and TRMS tonight

• I've noticed some negative, nasty comments here and there, but it's been almost overwhelmingly positive. Jon Stewart showed the clip tonight and when the father was telling his son "I'll always love and I'll always be proud of you," the audience started to applaud.

  http://gawker.com/the-daily-show/

• His Facebook page. He's freaking adorable!

  https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=1407843352

• Thanks for his Facbook link, R56! Love the pic of him at the pool pulling down his swim trunks (not boards shorts) just enough to see his pubes.

• That bored me. And he seems a bit narcissistic. Who cares that you're gay? Dad doesn't.

  Anonymous

• Someone should teach him how to lock down his facebook page a little more.

• His dad is one of his Facebook friends. He wasn't at all what I expected from hearing his voice. I pictured a gray-haired guy in his late fifties/early sixties wearing overalls -- a "good old boy." Yeah, I was stereotyping. But his dad's a young guy (mid-forties -- graduated high school in 1982) with a contemporary appearance, and actually quite nice looking. I think from the context of the call that "Sherry" is the airman's stepmom. So it probably was a joke when the son asked his father if he wanted to tell mom.

• Well, he didn't know that, R58. Yes, it shouldn't matter that someone's gay... or straight or whatever, but to some people it does. And oftentimes families do turn their backs on their children for being gay. Just 'cause your coming out may have been a nonevent with no drama doesn't mean everyone else's experience is the same. Thankfully, this kid's coming out went well... so far. I'm still waiting to hear about the mother. It really confounds me how sometimes the gay community can't support its own.

• Lots of siblings in that family! He has at least one brother and three sisters. Yikes. His dad had kids YOUNG too.

• Posting his coming out to his dad on YouTube? Isn't there anything private anymore? I guess that's what happens when an entire generation grows up watching reality shows. What a fame whore!

• Wow, he is a 10 out of 10. Momma's mussy is going into overdrive after the facebook pics.

• I thought it was heart-warming and thank him for posting it.

• Well, just hope to see a video when he brings home a good and handsome southern military boyfriend that he truly deserve.

• Why'd he post this on YouTube? I adore him until I stop to realize that he had every intention of posting this online so, I have to question his motive and perhaps even the authenticity of this scenario. I know, I know but come on. Sometimes you have to question these things.

• He posted it on YouTube because he's desperate for attention.

• Really? It couldn't possibly have been because he wanted to share a happy moment? It couldn't have been to show others stuck in whatever kind of closet that there is likely a time it will end? Cynics are such fun.

• He posted it because he is telling his story. If you look at his earliest videos, he barely has enough confidence to talk about it. With each video, he becomes stronger. Everything he's posted has led up to this. Having enough strength to actually do it was amazing.

• R58, really. Don't troll a perfectly good thread.

• [quote]Lots of siblings in that family! He has at least one brother and three sisters. Yikes. He said on TV that he was his dads only son.

• Yes, he had every intention of posting it on YouTube. He's been documenting his entire coming out process. Under the circumstances, a public service.

• His Dad was his Facebook friend and just "suspected" that his son might be gay? Come now.

• R72 I would assume that he has another brother through his mother's second marriage. His father is remarried so it's quite possible his mother remarried and had more children.

• He's the next Anderson Cooper. He's BECOMING the story.

• There is a lot of hate comments on his youtube video.

• He's indeed worth the look

• R77 Some Nasty comments are to be expected, but look at the "likes" for the video. Twenty four positives for every one negative. It's the same douche bags posting repeatedly.

• I wish that I had the courage to come out to my Pop before he died; I never did but I'm sure the result would have been the same as in the video of the soldier.

• This felt so staged for the inevitable movie of the week, "Hot White Airman: His Pain Is More Real Than Yours."

• And you bitches wonder why gay kids kill themselves. This cutie uses his experience for good, 2 million people have viewed it in one day, the majority completely supportive, yet you ankle-bite him like a cluster of fleas.

• Bet he looks great in a jockstrap....

  Jockstrap%20Troll

• He put his address on his youtube channel if anyone is interested in sending him mail. Steven R Phillips PSC 1 Box 5282 APO AE 09009

• I was thinking i hope he got a chance to tell the rest of his family before they saw it on the evening news.

• According to Good Morning America yesterday, his father wasn't thrilled that it was on YouTube, but re-stated to ABC News how much he loves his son.

  The Voice of the Night

• I sent him a thank you note on Facebook and he replied. Sweetie!

• "It Gets Better" If you're hot.

• He is gonna get so much action off-base!

• I'm more interested in the story as it continues from here on out. How is he dealing with the sudden world-wide fame? Jumping from the closet into the fire like that has to be overwhelming.

• What did you say, R87, and what was his response?

• R90, I think that he enjoys he new popularity. From setting up the YouTube channel in the first place to documenting his improved fitness on Twitter, he strikes me as one that wants the attention. I have been trying not to be cynical about his intentions, but a new development caused me to pause. On his YouTube channel (which I've been a subscriber to for a couple of months), he has added his mailing address - as R84 noted. But in addition he has posted a list of things he'd like including a new camera, a laptop, an iPad, or 'anything from America.' When I read that I can't help but rethink what I'd initially thought about this guy. Hopefully he'll wait until he's discharged before he starts his Cam4 profile that links to his Amazon.com wishlist.

• "Someone need to show this to that fucking closet case coward Anderson Cooper." Never mind Cooper. The people who really need to see this are Rick Santorum, Michelle Bachmann, Rick Perry, and all the other Republicans who scream "disaster" about the repeal of DADT.

• Attention whore. And the clip was relatively short...not long enough for any thoughtful discussion. At least he'll get an iPad or Macbook Pro out of all this.

• I also like some of his earlier videos: "I don't act gay. I don't act straight. I act like me." and (paraphrase): "I have a buddy who says he doesn't work well with gay people. But he works well with me!"

  http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Djj9rhMjtKYQ

• I guess I've come to expect this now -- any out gay man will be pilloried on Datalounge. It still makes me sad that it happens here. What happened?

• R92, that is disappointing if true.

• I love him. He's terrific in every way. Love!!!

• He tweeted another shirtless picture. I am so easy.

  http://yfrog.com/hs4ruedj

  The Voice of the Night

• Doesn't he make enough money to buy that little wish list? Can't wait until one of you bitches hooks up with him, and posts all the details.

  Wonder%20if%20he%27s%20single%3F

• He purty.

• If he kept a bag over his face, I'd definitely lick the body.

• He came out to his mother and it didn't go so well..

  http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dc4CKF97DAi8%26feature%3Dplayer_embedded

• I want to tongue kiss that boy so bad it hurts!

• Well, sequels are always disappointing.

• Why didn't his dad tell her that the kid is gay? His coming out to his father made the national news, strange she didn't see it on tv.

• She was too busy watching her DVRs of 'Hoarders' and 'The 700 Club.'

• He asked his dad if he (the dad) wanted to tell Mom. The dad said "No." I think this phone call was the same night. The first video hit the airwaves the next morning, the mother would have had to know before that.

• r106, It's the same day he told his father..notice the clothes he is wearing. I think he waited to put it on youtube until the media calmed down on him.

• Anyway he's becoming a stereotypical attention-whore queen. His twitter has tons of pics of him showing off his chest..one was in the streets of cold Germany..wearing only shorts.. with his arms wide open. "Look at me! look at me!" Gag.

• I know it's Alabama, but the father sounded like an intelligent man. The mother sounds like a small minded backwoods redneck.

• If his mother didn't know or highly suspect then she's the dumbest mother of a gay kid on the face of the earth. Mothers always know, or suspect, even if they say they didn't.

• R110, you're such an ass. It could very well be that he's doing it this way so it will help as many gay kids as possible. And I daresay kids who are having the same problem will see this and it will make them feel better.

• Well, I knew the second she started spouting what the bible supposedly says, she's a dumbass.

• R113, when you're done taking a hit off that crack pipe, can I give it a go? Alabamans are trash, pure and simple. His dad didn't fly off the hinges, but in all fairness, he didn't have a lot of time to process what he was hearing. Let's see what he's saying now that he's made the news on every corner of the earth. The mom probably feels guilty, as if something she did made her little boy gay. I'm sure she's right and if she has a problem with that, it's called suicide. This attention whore is so last week. What else does YouTube got? I vote for cat playing piano until something better comes along.

• He has changed the gift request list that he had previously posted along with a mailing address on his YouTube profile. Instead of specifically asking for the new camera or laptop or iPad, now he has changed it to read "for letters and gifts from home." So either a bunch of guys already sent him all the specific electronic toys that he'd requested, or someone suggested to him that posting a request list made him come across as something other than sincere. And to confirm what R109 added, he recorded the call to mom immediately after the discussion with his dad. It's hard to miss if you listen to the clip because the first thing he says is that it's Sept. 20th (the DADT repeal date) and it's about an hour after he called his dad.

• He may be an attention whore, but I hope he still has a family after all of this.

  Not%20looking%20good...

• He can always do porn.

• Gosh he is so handsome! what a body too! this kid is like 22 or something? So someone on this thread said his mother read the bible to him that it was wrong? is that true?

• As I recall, the mother mentioned that it was wrong, according to the Bible. Randy asked her where it says that, but she never came out and read anything - didn't even answer the question. She did mention Adam & Eve, though.

• does he have a boyfriend?

• Mom didn't say much, and the video is mostly about her long silences, but she did ask a question a lot of people wanted to ask: (paraphrase) Mom: Did you tell you girlfriend? Soldier: Yes Mom: What did she say? Soldier: She was pissed.

• he had a girlfriend? So he was bearding?

• I think he said that he went through periods where he though he could be straight (because it would just be a whole lot easier if he was.) So there was a girlfriend.

• did he have sex with her?

• He has a girlfriend!? Maybe he's really bi?

• R115 you are the lowest type of garbage imaginable. I definitely hope you die a long slow death. A quick grease fire death is not good enough for scum like you.

• R127 is either fucking psychotic or Randy Phillips.

• Any news? Is his mother still praying for him? What's happening with the girlfriend? WTF is going on??

• [quote]He has changed the gift request list that he had previously posted Damn, I was easy when I was overseas. I used to ask for Andes chocolate covered mints. My Marine partner would go with me to Mail Call hoping some more mints would arrive from the States. Another guy I worked with would write home for Oreos. If there was a glass of milk on his desk, we knew he had gotten more Oreos from friends or family back home.