Gay celebrity dads who continue to redefine fatherhood in 2026

Fatherhood comes in many forms, and for these celebrity gay dads, it is defined not by traditional norms but by love, commitment, and the families they have built.

As Father’s Day happens during the Pride Month, we take a look at public figures who continue to challenge stereotypes, embrace parenthood on their own terms, and show that there is no single blueprint for raising a family.

READ: Ogie Alcasid reflects on his dad, fatherhood, and his Father’s Day concert

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Paolo Ballesteros

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paolo Ballesteros (@pochoy_29)

Known as a host and drag performer to many, Paolo Ballesteros is a proud and devoted father to his only daughter, Keira, whom he co-parents with his non-showbiz former partner, Katrina Nevada.

After publicly coming out in 2019, Ballesteros shared that his daughter has always accepted him for who he is.

“Luckily, my daughter is a bright kid. So, wala nang ano ‘yun, wala nang problema,” he said in an interview. “Ayoko naman din magtago. Bahay ko ‘yun ‘tsaka anak ko siya ‘tapos magtago ako?”

Ballesteros is the kind of father who makes dresses for his daughter and does her makeup at the same time. He previously made headlines after he accompanied Keira to her prom.

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Ice Seguerra

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Liza Diño-Seguerra (@lizadino)

Singer-actor Ice Seguerra has often spoken about the importance of family. He is a devoted trans man and a loving father to Amara, the daughter of his wife, actress and former Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairperson Liza Diño, from a former relationship.

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Seguerra took on the role of a father figure to Amara when he married Diño in 2014. While the couple previously explored having another child together through in vitro fertilization (IVF), they have since made peace with the decision to not pursue it further.

Ogie Diaz

Entertainment reporter and talent manager Ogie Diaz has long been open about being a member of the LGBTQ+ community while raising a family with his longtime partner, Georgette del Rosario. Together, they have five daughters.

Diaz previously recalled meeting Del Rosario in a comedy bar, where a dare eventually led to a relationship that has now been going on for three decades.

The comedian said that his sexuality has never been a problem for his wife and children.

“Bading na ko no’n 7 years old pa lang ako,” he said at the time. “Sinabi sa akin ng isang psychologist na okay lang (maging ako), as long as I am present for my children.”

Diaz received an early Father’s Day gift from one of his daughters, Godhie, after she recently graduated cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

Arnel Ignacio

Television host-turned-public servant Arnel Ignacio takes pride in being a father to his daughter, Sofia, who has since built her own career as an entrepreneur and microblading artist.

As Sofia grew older, Ignacio said their relationship evolved into a strong partnership both at home and in business.

“We became an unbeatable team,” he expressed. “We are business partners; we are together at home constantly. I sought her out for anything that needed to be done in the house. We have a very stable relationship now. We learned to adjust to a lot of things to avoid any conflict between us. We’re way past the fighting.”

Ignacio co-parents Sofia with his former wife, Frannie, whom he was with for 12 years before their separation in 2004.

Jovit Moya

Did you know that newbie actor Rob Moya is the son of That's Entertainment alum Jovit Moya? https://t.co/1AwEMyUEPJ pic.twitter.com/Y7CXVL6539

— GMA Network (@gmanetwork) March 17, 2016

Former actor Jovit Moya has embraced many roles throughout his life, but one of the most important remains being a father to his nine children from different mothers, including actor Rob Moya.

Rob once shared that his father’s sexuality never changed the love and support he received growing up.

“I have no problem with him being gay; it doesn’t affect me. When he admitted that fact to me, I was surprised, but that was it. He has always loved me and taken care of me, and I’m proud of him,” he said.

Jovit is now a health advocate, neuroscience researcher, and university professor.

Joel Cruz

Entrepreneur and perfume magnate Joel Cruz is a proud father to eight children born through IVF and surrogacy.

Over the years, Cruz has been candid with his children about how they came into the world and the role their surrogate mother played in helping him become a parent.

“They have freedom. They can go there; they can be with their mom. Kinukuwento ko naman kasi sa kanila na their mother, she’s very generous, she’s very caring. Pero alam nila na ang mommy nila, may daddy. May pamilya sila, may anak. Talagang tinulungan niya lang ako para magkaanak,” he shared.

Elton John

Music icon Elton John shares two sons, Zachary and Elijah, with his husband, David Furnish. The couple, who married in 2014 after decades together, have largely kept their children away from the spotlight.

John once described becoming a parent as the most important decision he and Furnish ever made.

“That was the greatest decision I’ve made—well, we’ve made in the last six years—to have those boys. They’re our primary concern. They’re the things that come first and foremost,” said the legendary singer.

Ricky Martin

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Global music star Ricky Martin became a father in 2008 when he welcomed twin sons Matteo and Valentino through surrogacy. He later expanded his family with daughter Lucia and son Renn.

Martin and Jwan Yosef married in 2017 but announced their separation in July 2023. Despite the end of their six-year marriage, the two have remained deeply committed to co-parenting their four children.

Martin came out as gay to the public in 2010.

Anderson Cooper

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Award-winning journalist Anderson Cooper entered fatherhood later in life after welcoming son Wyatt in 2020 and son Sebastian in 2022 via surrogacy.

He co-parents the kids with his former partner and close friend, Benjamin Maisani.

Cooper previously admitted that he thought he couldn’t be a father because of his sexuality.

“I was gay and thought about my life; it always upset me because I thought, ‘I will never be able to have a kid,’” he said at the time.

Andy Cohen

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Television personality and producer Andy Cohen became a father in 2019 when he welcomed his son Benjamin through surrogacy. He later welcomed daughter Lucy in 2022.

The “Watch What Happens Live” host often shares the realities of single parenthood and how fatherhood has become the most fulfilling chapter of his life.

“I’m the only gay parent at Ben’s nursery school and the only single parent, which is amazing,” he said.

Neil Patrick Harris

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Neil Patrick Harris (@nph)

Actor Neil Patrick Harris and his husband, David Burtka, became parents to twins Harper and Gideon through surrogacy in 2010.

The “How I Met Your Mother” star frequently shares milestones involving his children and has often spoken about the joys and challenges of parenting on social media.

“And, just like that, they’re teenagers,” Harris wrote in a birthday tribute. “Happy birthday, Harper and Gideon. You are the lights of my life.”

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

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“Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his husband, Justin Mikita, are raising their sons Beckett and Sullivan after welcoming both children via surrogacy.

Ferguson has spoken candidly about how becoming a father transformed him emotionally.

“I love my husband very much,” he said. “But there’s something about this tiny person who relies on you so much; it breaks your heart open in a very unique way that I’ve never experienced before,” he expressed. /edv

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(Editor’s note: This article first came out on June 15, 2024 in celebration of Father’s Day)