Meet the "dad" who has ensured more than 1,000 LGBTQ+ people have had a "stand-in parent" to stand by their side during important life milestones.
In 2021, Daniel Blevins posted a TikTok video which sparked his global movement.
Inspired by his upbringing in rural East Tennessee — where he said LGBTQ+ representation was nonexistent — the 48-year-old offered to be a “stand-in dad” for LGBTQ+ people whose families wouldn’t attend their weddings.
“I was always looking for ways to be the representation I didn’t have growing up,” Daniel, a hair salon owner and founder of the nonprofit organization Stand in Pride, shared.
“I was also inspired by Sarah Cunningham, the founder of Free Mom Hugs, who offered to do something similar as a mom for LGBTQ+ weddings.”
The idea quickly struck a chord. “The video got some traction,” the Oneida, Tennessee native recalled.
