This Heartwarming Video Reminds Us Family Isn’t Always About Blood

Gay dating app Chappy (in association with Survation) recently conducted a survey with over 500 gay men and found that 30 percent of them experience homophobic reactions from family members during Christmas, and that 17 percent experience homophobia from extended family who come to visit.

That’s why they decided to create a video about chosen family—the friends in our lives who act like family members despite not being related by blood.

Chosen family, a topic which RuPaul loves to bring up on Drag Race all the time, holds a special place in the hearts of queer people who are often rejected by their actual family members. For their video, Chappy sat down with nine gay/bi men and asked them what it is they loved about their chosen family. While their answers ranged, the overall message was clear: we would not be here today without the love and support from the friends we’re lucky to call our chosen family.

Watch the heartwarming video below!