Unique Father’s Day Traditions for LGBTQ+ Families
In Prairie Village, Kansas, Jen and Whitney Wilson, along with their three children, celebrate a unique Father’s Day tradition. This tradition is closely tied to David Titterington, a childhood friend of Jen Wilson, who agreed to be the sperm donor for the Wilson family about a decade ago.
David Titterington, who is gay, expressed joy at the opportunity to have biological children and be part of their lives. On Father’s Day, the Wilsons and their children—ages 9, 7, and 3—travel to Titterington’s home in Missouri for a celebratory picnic. They have created their own Father’s Day traditions to honor David’s role in their lives.
Jen Wilson, executive director of Modern Family Alliance, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, acknowledges the unique challenges nontraditional families face during holidays like Father’s Day. Schools are increasingly adapting events like “Donuts with Dads” to be more inclusive under the title “Donuts with Grown-Ups.”
The Wilson family feels fortunate to have multiple father figures, with David being a significant presence. He participates in the children’s activities and events, though he refers to himself more as a godfather or "blood father" rather than a traditional parent.
According to Family Equality, between 2 million and 3.3 million children under 18 have at least one LGBTQ+ parent. The visibility of such families has increased, as noted by Cathy Renna, communications director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, with many Pride events now featuring family-friendly activities.
Jen and Whitney Wilson cherish their unique family structure and highlight the importance of appreciating diverse father figures on Father’s Day. David Titterington values fatherhood moments like his children’s artwork and their presence, though he acknowledges leaving the primary parenting roles to Jen and Whitney.
This Father’s Day tradition underscores the diverse forms of family and fatherhood in the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating various father figures in the process.