These two teen boys are inspiring everyone with this story of their prom night — warning, bring tissues.
Theodore Vidal and Colin Beyers are two teens in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, who have been dating for a while and decided to be each other's prom date this year.
Article continues below advertisement
As you can see, they're the cutest:
Article continues below advertisement
On prom night, they got all dressed up in matching tuxes to continue the cuteness trend, and took a traditional stroll down the boardwalk together for pictures and vibes.
Article continues below advertisement
As they walked, they heard a group of men call out to them, Buzzfeed reports.
"It's South Jersey. Guys pick on us for being gay a lot," Vidal told Buzzfeed. "It's an area where you normally would get picked on and discriminated against."
The scene unfolded in front of Good Morning America segment producer Michael Del Moro, who was out on the boardwalk, too, with his family — and his boyfriend. Del Moro described it all in a Twitter thread that went viral, explaining that he used to get harassed with homophobic slurs a lot walking in the same area. He says that night, a bunch of guys on a rooftop bar were yelling at the students on the boardwalk who were obviously visiting from prom to kiss.
Article continues below advertisement
A short thread from here in Seaside Heights, NJ, where—not so long ago—young men would shout the word “f****t” out their car window as we’d stroll along the boardwalk.
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) May 12, 2018Last night, while out for Mother’s Day with our families (read: getting some late-night ice cream because treat yourself!) we noticed a group of rowdy bros gathered on a rooftop bar obnoxiously yelling “KISS HER!” in unison at every apparent couple that passed by.
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) May 12, 2018Article continues below advertisement
It was quintessential “Jersey Shore” and, unfortunately, several couples obliged the request to raucous cheers thereby further encouraging the rowdiness. We rolled our eyes.
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) May 12, 2018But then Vidal and Beyers showed up, and Del Moro was really afraid of what might happen next. He expected something bad of the rooftop bros, just like the boys did.
Article continues below advertisement
It’s prom season here, so at that time of night you’ll see high schoolers in their formal attire. As we walked by the rooftop bros, an adorable teenage gay couple passed us in perfectly fitting midnight bue tuxes, matching pink ties, holding hands.
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) May 12, 2018But instead, the bros yelled for the couple to kiss, just like they had with the boy/girl couples.
Article continues below advertisement
I looked at Alec (my boyfriend), my mom, my sister, and stopped to make sure the couple was okay as they walked by... worried that something might happen. The rooftop crew quickly switched from “KISS HER!” To “KISS HIM!”
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) May 12, 2018After some hesitation, the young men kissed... and let me tell you: both the rooftop crew and everyone else on the boardwalk just went absolutely wild for them and we all breathed a sigh of relief.
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) May 12, 2018Article continues below advertisement
The kiss was met with wild celebration, much to Del Moro's relief. Though he admits things aren't better everywhere, or even in Jersey a lot of the time, it gave him hope for how things can change.
This is not a “look everything’s fine now, thread,” and yes... it’s New Jersey, but I just thought it was worth sharing and an encouraging moment for young LGBTQ folks out there.
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) May 12, 2018Article continues below advertisement
Everyone loved the story so much, they tried to figure out who the couple was, and it wasn't long before Vidal and Beyer were located.
Article continues below advertisement
It also turns out that Del Moro actually knew one of the guys on the rooftop (small town), and he told Del Moro they were very happy for the gay couple, sincerely.
Another little update: I've heard from one of the "bros" on the roof (turns out I know a few of them... because, of course, it's Jersey). He said they were up there for their friend Wilson's bachelor party and they love this whole thing. "We are all very happy for those guys."
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) May 14, 2018Article continues below advertisement
This story is so cute, I want to ask it to prom, and I'm not the only one:
That’s so sweet and heartwarming, And also teenage Nathan is extremely jealous.
— Nathan McDermott (@natemcdermott) May 13, 2018Article continues below advertisement
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story!! There is hope...sometimes I forget that!! ❤️
— Karen Dedoszak (@KDedoszak) May 12, 2018Article continues below advertisement
Wow. Thank you so much for sharing this lovely moment with us. Gives me hope ❤️
— Eve (@EveHawk) May 13, 2018Article continues below advertisement
The teens told Buzzfeed they've both struggled with coming out, and have at times felt ostracized or lost, but being together has helped them to get braver and more open about who they are.
"It always gets better; that's what I tell myself when it's hard," Beyers said. "For those that are getting bulled or in a dark place and feel like it won't stop or end, it does. Those people go away and you meet better people who love you for who you are. When I feel like I'm discriminated against I tell myself that it will get better and it does."
Article continues below advertisement
This is the perfect prom story.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pbXSramam6Ses7p6wqikaKqVoa61tc6nqqGhoKh8c3yQcWZpbV9mgnB92KydbWpfqbKmuoybprKrXaW%2FsLmMo5yrq5WuerS0zquc