community
This gay dad felt incredible love & acceptance on his 65th birthday with his entire family
By Greg Owen at LGBTQ Nation
· June 22, 2026
· 3 min read
Scott Ammarell's kids came up with the idea for a "white party" celebrating their dad's birthday on a chartered cruise in Turkey last year. It was the magic-hour culmination of "how loved I felt during the entire week," he says. The cruise marking the gay dad's 65th trip around the sun was eight day
Key takeaway The cruise marking the gay dad's 65th trip around the sun was eight days and seven nights, along Turkey's west coast in the Aegean Sea.
Why this matters
Scott Ammarell's heartwarming 65th birthday celebration with his family on a chartered cruise in Turkey highlights the significance of chosen family and acceptance in the LGBTQ+ community. The fact that his children, who were 14, 12, and 9 when he came out, have grown to be supportive and loving, demonstrates the importance of family acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals. Ammarell's experience also underscores the value of having a strong support system, which has been crucial for him over the last two decades as he navigated his journey of self-discovery. The National LGBTQ Task Force and other organizations emphasize the need for supportive families and communities, and Ammarell's story illustrates the positive impact this can have on an individual's life. As the LGBTQ+ community continues to face varying levels of acceptance and support across different states, stories like Ammarell's serve as a testament to the power of love and acceptance.
About this story
Original reporting by LGBTQ Nation . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: community ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Scott Ammarell's kids came up with the idea for a "white party" celebrating their dad's birthday on a chartered cruise in Turkey last year. It was the magic-hour culmination of "how loved I felt during the entire week," he says. The cruise marking the gay dad's 65th trip around the sun was eight day
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Greg Owen at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more community coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .