A self-proclaimed "recovering bigot" has apologized to the LGBTQ+ community by offering "free hugs" at a Pride march in Denver, Colorado.
The Mile High City was the latest US location to celebrate Pride month, with the events sponsored by alcohol brands Coors Light and Absolut Vodka.
Social media was inundated with short clips and images of the highly-anticipated event, but one moment in particular stood out to netizens across the globe - and that is the viral footage of an older man (and self-proclaimed former "bigot") who made sure to offer free hugs to Pride march participants.
The man was wearing a rainbow garland and holding a sign that read: "Recovering bigot. I am sorry. Free hugs." The TikTok user who captured several hugs between the man and other Pride-goers captioned the clip: "To own up to your discriminatory beliefs and say: 'I hear you, I see you, and I'm sorry, is top tier. Everyone could learn something here."
Naturally, the internet was obsessed with the heartwarming moment, as many users took to the comments section to express their pride (pun not intended) at the man's actions.
"It's never too late! how amazing is this! welcome to the good side sir," one person said.
"If we are going to advocate for change we have to be forgiving and accepting of people trying to educate themselves and become better [...]," another user added.
A further netizen chimed in with: "Hateful people have no idea how much love they’re letting pass them by. When you are loving and accepting you too experience love and acceptance."
One TikTok user even took to the comments to write that the man was their father, saying: "This is my dad!! I just got a text earlier today from my mom (also there) saying how happy my dad was to be a part of something so special. #LoveWins."
Not long after the footage went viral, the man's photo ended up on Twitter, where someone highlighted the importance of making amends. "For many Christians, #Pride month is a perfect opportunity to workout one's confession and repentance muscles. A friend in Denver sent me this photo of a 'recovering bigot' making flesh-on-flesh amends with the children of God he once maligned," the caption read.
In response to the tweet, a woman posted about her own Pride outfit, over which she wore a sign that said: "I was quiet far too long… I am sorry for the harm the Church has caused you." Ahhh... I'm not crying, YOU are!
Denver Pride marked Colorado's first parade since the devastating mass shooting at Colorado Springs' LGBTQ+ bar Club Q in November. In fact, at the start of the week, 23-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich pleaded guilty to 53 charges in relation to the attack, including five of first-degree murder and 46 counts of attempted murder in the first degree. He was sentenced to more than 2,000 years in jail by Judge Michael McHenry, per PinkNews.