Before his first missionary trip, Mormon Austin Swink had something important to tell his father — and his response invokes all the feels.
Coming out is never easy
Coming out to a parent is one of the hardest things someone can do, but it was even harder for Austin Swink because of his faith.
Still, Swink felt he had to do it ahead of his first missionary trip for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and to give the world an inside scoop, he kept his phone video on during the conversation with his father.
In the video posted by USA Today, Swink struggles at first, but soon says what he needed to say right off the bat: "I'm gay."
“I got this feeling that I just needed to get it off my chest before I left, because it was weighing on me for so long, not saying anything,” Swink later told the publication.
His dad gave a caring response
Without hesitation, Swink's dad, Vaughn Swink, replied: "Are you okay, though?"
Austin says "mhm," but Vaughn wanted to be clear: "No, but I'm saying worthy wise."
"Yeah, I know I just—"
"Austin I don't care. I don't care," Vaughn repeated. "You're okay."
The dad then asked his son, "Are you a child of God?"
Austin agreed.
"Okay. That's fine," the dad concluded.
Making a difficult moment easier
We've all seen enough movies, heard enough stories or experienced it ourselves to know how harshly parents can react to someone coming out — and how devastating that can be for a child. So regardless of whether you have the same faith or not, it's uplifting to hear this dad's kind words in one of the most important moments of their lives.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.