PRIDE was indeed a proud day for a son whose mum and dad have both followed him out of the closet.
Tyler Downer’s parents both came out after 23 years of marriage, shortly after he revealed his own sexuality.
Wearing a homemade tiara and posing with his 23-year-old son, Bruce Downer said he’s never felt better after revealing the secret he kept hidden for more than two decades.
The 53-year-old registered nurse, who lives in Connecticut said: “I was married to a woman for 23 years but that’s all gone.
“I finally was strong enough to say I don’t want to live this life anymore, I don’t want to continue to live a lie. I wanted to live my true life.”
After their divorce in 2017, Bruce’s wife admitted she was a lesbian. She is now engaged, he said.
“I didn’t know she was gay and she didn’t know I was gay and we were married for 23 years,” said Bruce, who was back at the New York Pride parade for the third year running.
Some 150,000 parade marchers and an estimated 4 million spectators lined the streets of the Big Apple.
Their 23-year-old son Tyler had told his parents he was gay ahead of his father coming out.
Speaking of his dad’s admission Tyler, who was attending his first Pride said: “I sort of knew before he told me.
“It was easy to talk to him because I knew he would understand.”
“I learn some things from my father but sometimes it’s stressful because I always feel like he is critiquing me about what I’m doing because he is the same.”
He has an older brother, 24, who is straight.
While his ex-wife has moved on, Bruce said he’s single — and looking.
“I am now very happy. I love the person I am, no self-hatred,” he said. “Today, I’m celebrating with my community.
“It makes me feel so proud.”
Public records show Bruce and Joanne Hamilton married in 1994.
Hamilton has not responded for requests for comment.
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