Father goes viral after giving out hundreds of free hugs at Pittsburgh Pride Parade

One proud father is going viral after emotional photos of him surfaced giving out free hugs at Pittsburgh's Pride Parade on Sunday.

Howie Dittman joined other mothers and fathers at the city's pride celebration, the largest in the city's history, on June 9th. Each parent donned t-shirts emblazoned with supportive words like "Free Dad Hugs" or "Free Mom Hugs" -- and with those supportive words, Dittman estimates he gave hundreds of hugs that day.

After hearing the hundreds of stories from the emotional day, the Pittsburgh father shared photos and an inspiring message on Facebook, which has since gone on to be shared over 200,000 times.

In the post, he explains that some of the hugs were happy, while others were much more heartbreaking. The snapshot shows a tank top-clad Dittman embracing a man and a young girl, both of whom were more emotional than anything.

"Let me tell you about these two," Dittman began. "He was kicked out at 19 when his parents found out. They haven't spoken to him since. He cried on my shoulder. Sobbed."

He continued, " I felt a tiny bit of that pain that he carries with him every minute of every day. He was abandoned because of who he loves...He was participating in a celebration of love when he was brought to his emotional knees by a shirt that said "FREE DAD HUGS" on a complete stranger."

And although he didn't get the young girl's full story, Dittman expressed how her look of "sadness" and "helplessness" is one he will never, ever forget.

"She hugged me with everything she had. And I hugged her back. She held on for so long, melting into me, and thanked me endlessly. And I can't stop thinking about her. What she must be going thru with her family... the ones who are supposed to be there for her no matter what," he shared.

He continued:

"Who does she go to when she needs advice on love, money or just life? Who does she share old memories with that only her parents would have been there for? What are her holidays like? How often does she hope for that phone call, with unconditional love on the other end? I don't know her story. But it doesn't feel like a huge leap to assume she's lost those who should love her the most and forever."

"Imagine that your child feels SO LOST FROM YOU that they sink into the arms of a complete stranger and sob endlessly just because that stranger is wearing a shirt offering hugs from a dad," Dittman concluded the post. "Think of the depths of their pain. Try to imagine how deep those cuts must be."

The father's inspiring words have since resonated with thousands of individuals, parents, friends and those struggling with their identity. "I can’t understand how a parent could turn their back on their child!" wrote one Facebook user.

"My daughter came out last year I wanted her to know I am her biggest supporter! I took her to LA pride last year and I got a shirt that says proud mom," said another. "I never expected that total strangers would come up to tell me their stories or just ask for a hug!"

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