Colton Underwood replies to “Christian” who told him he feels “bad” for reality star’s son
“We're great. But thank you for the reminder that this work still matters.”
Mark
Whenever reality TV alum Colton Underwood posts a photo of himself alongside his husband, Jordan, and their young son, Bishop, he’s flooded with messages. We’re pleased to report the majority of the replies are from followers thrilled to see the happy family. However, it also triggers others who have an issue with same-sex parents.
Underwood yesterday shared one such message. It came from the Instagram account of a man named Zack Boughton. He has a social media and YouTube following for his hunting videos.
The response said, “I feel bad for that kid.”
How about we take this to the next level?
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Underwood shared the response on Instagram. He also posted a reply over a series of slides.
“Hey Zach – genuinely curious what you meant by this. Because if you ‘feel bad’ for Bishop, I’d love to understand why. He’s loved, supported, celebrated, Happy and surrounded by people who show up for him every single day,” said Underwood.
“What a child actually needs protection from isn’t a loving family. It’s ‘adults’ who use vague, loaded comments to express disapproval they don’t have the courage to say out loud.
“Words like yours, ambiguous enough to deny, pointed enough to wound, are exactly how kids learn that who they are is something to be ashamed of. That’s the thing worth feeling bad about.”
“Bishop is great. We’re great. But thank you for the reminder that this work still matters,” Underwood concluded.
“Why sharing my life this publicly is worth it”
In a caption accompanying the slides, Underwood said, “Comments like this are something I write about a lot in DEAR BISHOP.”
That’s the name of the new audible book Underwood just published about fatherhood.
“Some days they don’t affect me. Other days they ruin my day. Most days, they remind me why sharing my life this publicly is worth it…because somewhere there’s a kid, or a man, who might find comfort or something familiar in my story. That’s what keeps me living openly.”
Queerty has reached out to Boughton to ask him what he meant by his vague message. His Instagram bio lists him as a photographer and filmmaker and “Follower of Christ”.
The internet reacts
Underwood and his husband became dads to their son Bishop, via surrogacy, on September 26, 2024.
In the replies to the post, many thanked him for speaking out.
“As a gay dad of an 8 year old, thank you for showing up and being an advocate,” said one person on Facebook. “We need more people like you now more than ever!”
One single mom prompted much clapback by trying to see both sides.
“I can see how people feel that way because two fathers are non-traditional and non-biblical. Historically, children thrive best in balanced mother and father parent upbringings. I cannot speak for anybody and I myself am a sole parent and mother doing this alone. Would my child be better off with another parent? Yes, most likely and with a father to help with discipline,” she said.
“On the flip side, I’m glad that Bishop has enthusiastic parents who are over the moon and are willing to go above and beyond to create the best life for Bishop. Would he thrive better with a mother figure? Most likely/possibly according to historical accounts of traditional (healthy and balanced) mother and father parental figures. And not allll mother and father parental figures are healthy enough to raise children. Trust me, I lived that way through my parents’ parenting and it was not the greatest and still not the greatest part of my existence. Most importantly, Bishop is loved. I wish you all the best!”
Why kids of same-sex parents perform better
It’s true there are obvious benefits to raising a child with a co-parent, if only for the sharing of duties.
However, studies have found that the offspring of same-sex parents mature just as well at school as those raised by opposite-sex parents. In fact, a respected 2020 study from the Netherlands, found kids from queer families performed better at school. The country was the first in the world to legalize same-sex marriage and had a wide pool of kids to study (over 1million)
That study’s author, Dr Deni Mazrekaj, offered this explanation for the result.
“We found that same-sex parents are often wealthier, older and more educated than the typical different-sex couple. Same-sex couples often have to use expensive fertility treatments to have a child, meaning they tend to have a high level of wealth and are also very motivated to become parents. Their children perform very well in school.”
It’s kind of obvious when explained like that, right?
One of those to comment on Underwood’s post appeared to be a surrogate.
“I’m currently carrying for a gay couple and can confirm that Bishop is so loved and cared for. Comments like this are ridiculous and people have no idea what you went through to bring him into the world.”
Related
Colton Underwood is praised for his take on Heated Rivalry
And here’s why ‘Heated Rivalry’ will receive no Emmy awards.Neil Patrick Harris, Elton John, Pink and more come out for queer family gala
Pink was a surprise guest performer at the New York City gala on Monday night for Family Equality.rn
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