A teen couple’s walk home from prom ended with a heartwarming twist.
One small, very important step has just been taken in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. ABC producer Michael Del Moro took to Twitter to share an encounter he witnessed between a gay couple and a group of loud men. Spoiler alert: this story actually has a really nice ending.
Del Moro was hanging out in Seaside Heights when he spotted a group of “rowdy bros” at a rooftop bar, who were yelling “kiss her” to every couple who walked by.
Last night, while out for Mother’s Day with our families (read: getting some late-night ice cream because treat yourself!) we noticed a group of rowdy bros gathered on a rooftop bar obnoxiously yelling “KISS HER!” in unison at every apparent couple that passed by.
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) May 12, 2018
It was quintessential “Jersey Shore” and, unfortunately, several couples obliged the request to raucous cheers thereby further encouraging the rowdiness. We rolled our eyes.
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) May 12, 2018
Then, a teen couple, both young men, passed by, wearing their prom suits and holding hands. Del Moro was immediately worried. This was the same town where, not so long ago, a group of young men had hurled a homophobic slur at him. Thankfully, this young couple got a very different reaction from the peanut gallery.
I looked at Alec (my boyfriend), my mom, my sister, and stopped to make sure the couple was okay as they walked by... worried that something might happen. The rooftop crew quickly switched from “KISS HER!” To “KISS HIM!”
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) May 12, 2018
After some hesitation, the young men kissed... and let me tell you: both the rooftop crew and everyone else on the boardwalk just went absolutely wild for them and we all breathed a sigh of relief.
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) May 12, 2018
This sweet little moment might not seem like much in the scheme of things, but Del Moro called it “encouraging.”
This is not a “look everything’s fine now, thread,” and yes... it’s New Jersey, but I just thought it was worth sharing and an encouraging moment for young LGBTQ folks out there.
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) May 12, 2018
Buzzfeed managed to track down the prom couple, Colin Beyers and Theodore Vidal, and they said that they were just as surprised as Del Moro was by the response they received.
“Machoism is such a thing here, so the fact that those guys cheered us on was shocking,” Beyers explained. “It’s one of those small victories that makes the hard times worth it.”
Vidal added that the two have dealt with their share of homophobia.”It was so surprising that these guys were supporting us,” he said. “Especially after what I’ve gone through.”
Vidal came out in eighth grade and was viciously bullied by his classmates. He was largely ignored at school, told to “end [his] life” and that “he didn’t belong here.” Meeting Beyers changed everything for him.
“He pushes my depressed thoughts away,” Vidal told Buzzfeed. “He’s always there and he makes everything better. He helps me live life to my fullest and that’s what I am doing right now.”
So, so much applause for this brave, loving, positive couple. Also, hopefully these South Jersey guys are part of a new trend of acceptance, kindness, and generally not being discriminatory jerks.