Gay Dad Confronts 7-Year-Old Who Called LGBTQ People 'The Devil'

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Robbie Pierce, a gay father, confronted a 7-year-old boy at a park who told Pierce's son that gay people are 'the devil' and 'going to hell' because 'God said so.' In response, Pierce told the boy that 'parents made up God to make their kids do what they want,' shocking the child. While some praised Pierce for challenging the boy's hateful views, others felt his response was inappropriate when dealing with a young child.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges LGBTQ families face, even in liberal areas, and the need to address the root causes of religious-based bigotry being passed down to children. It also raises questions about the best way to handle such confrontations, especially when the target is a young child who may be repeating views learned at home.

The details

Robbie Pierce, a gay father, was at a park with his husband, Neal Broverman, and their two young children when a 7-year-old boy approached them. The boy told Pierce's son that gay people are 'the devil' and 'going to hell' because 'God said so.' Shocked, Pierce responded by telling the boy that 'parents made up God to make their kids do what they want,' causing the child's eyes to widen. Pierce later defended his actions on social media, saying 'if you teach your kids to hate I'm going to teach them to disobey you.'

• In 2022, Pierce and his family were harassed by a passenger on an Amtrak train in California, who told their son they were 'pedophiles' and that gay people are 'abominations'.
• Seven months after the Amtrak incident, Pierce's son was confronted by the 7-year-old boy at a park.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The incident has sparked a debate over the best way to handle confrontations with children who express hateful views, with some arguing Pierce's response was inappropriate while others felt he was justified in challenging the boy's indoctrination.