Gay Son and Straight Father Story - Boardwalk Dad Detox

Mateo O.
Oct 7
5 min read

There needs to be more stories about a gay son and straight father. Not every story about family, faith, and redemption has to fit the same mold. Boardwalk Dad Detox—an upcoming indie animated film in the I Married a Monster on a Hill universe—dives deep into a bond rarely seen in media: that between a straight father and his gay son, both trying to hold on to love, forgiveness, and something greater than themselves.

At its heart, this almost three-hour feature is a slice-of-life reflection on generational healing. It’s not about spectacle or fantasy. It’s about two people who love each other deeply—yet keep missing each other in the chaos of life. Boardwalk Dad Detox is in production right now and you can find more about the film on the official Kickstarter.

The Heart of Boardwalk Dad Detox: Gay Son and Straight Father

At its core, Boardwalk Dad Detox is a slice-of-life story that centers on Wagner, a gay Catholic son, and Jackie, his straight, stubborn father. Their relationship has always been filled with love and tension, laughter and silence. Wagner carries a deep sense of faith, he’s the type of character who finds peace in prayer, reflection, and acts of service. Jackie, on the other hand, struggles with belief, both in God and in himself.

That tension between faith and doubt, structure and chaos, becomes the emotional backbone of the Boardwalk Dad Detox gay son and straight father story. It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from showing how family can clash yet still cling to each other through unconditional love.

Wagner: A Gay Son with Strong Catholic Faith

Wagner, the gay son with black hair in Boardwalk Dad Detox, looks down with a sorrowful expression, reflecting his faith and the emotional weight of supporting his straight father through addiction.

Wagner stands out not just as a son, but as a symbol of faith and patience. He’s gay, married, a father and deeply committed to his beliefs — a rare portrayal in animation where faith is often sidelined or mocked.

In Boardwalk Dad Detox, Wagner’s Catholic faith is a source of strength. His prayers, his values, and his compassion guide him through his father’s addiction and anger. Wagner doesn’t try to convert Jackie — he simply lives his truth, hoping his father sees that faith doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.

This portrayal gives visibility to gay men who hold religious beliefs, a group often overlooked in both faith-based media and gay storytelling.

Jackie: A Straight Father Searching for Redemption

Jackie, the straight father with blond hair from Boardwalk Dad Detox, smokes a cigarette with a tired, reflective look symbolizing his struggle with addiction and his strained bond with his gay son.

Jackie is the other main half of this emotional journey. Once a loud, hilarious talk show host and loving dad, he’s now buried under years of addiction and regret. He’s a straight man who can’t seem to forgive himself, lashing out in ways that hurt the people who love him most.

But Boardwalk Dad Detox doesn’t villainize Jackie. Instead, it gives him a place for potential redemption. It’s a look at a father trying to make sense of his failures, haunted by his past, and humbled by the love of a son who refuses to give up on him.

In a world where portrayals of straight fathers and gay sons are rare, the Boardwalk Dad Detox gay son and straight father plot breaks ground by showing how two men can rebuild trust, not through big speeches, but through small, stubborn acts of love.

A Story About Faith, Family, and Healing

The film takes place in the familiar world of the I Married a Monster on a Hill universe, known for its heartfelt storytelling and humor. Yet this one digs deeper.

Addiction, generational trauma, and faith are front and center.

While Jackie wrestles with his vices, Wagner holds onto hope. He represents the belief that love and faith can exist alongside imperfection — that even when family falls apart, there’s always room for grace.

Through humor, quiet moments, and raw honesty, Boardwalk Dad Detox paints a picture of two people trying to walk the long road back to each other.

Why Gay Son and Straight Father Stories Matter

You don’t often see stories about a gay son and straight father in animation — especially ones rooted in faith. Many gay stories focus on coming out or romance, shun faith or conservative values, but few focus on reconciliation and generational healing.

This film takes a risk by diving into that niche. It gives a voice to families navigating faith and forgiveness — showing that love doesn’t always fit into neat boxes.

By including Catholic themes alongside heartfelt humor and emotional storytelling, Boardwalk Dad Detox opens the door for conversations that don’t often happen in animation.

The Future of Indie Storytelling

Projects like Boardwalk Dad Detox show how indie animation can tackle big themes with compassion and creativity. By shining a light on the relationship between a gay Catholic son and his straight father, it gives viewers permission to explore their own family stories — the messy, the beautiful, and the healing.

If you’re looking for something raw, real, and refreshingly human, Boardwalk Dad Detox might be one to keep on your radar.

Wagner isn’t the stereotypical “rebellious” son. In many ways, he’s the moral center of the family. He prays. He believes. And while he’s openly gay, his faith guides him toward compassion, not conflict. In contrast, Jackie—his straight father—is the one who’s lost his way, spiritually and emotionally. Their relationship flips the expected script: the gay son walking in grace, the straight father learning what redemption really means.

Faith, Forgiveness, and Family

A framed photo of Wagner, a gay son with black hair, and Jackie, his straight father with blond hair, from Boardwalk Dad Detox, surrounded by shattered glass symbolizing their broken bond and journey toward healing.

So much of Boardwalk Dad Detox is about unlearning old pain. Jackie represents the generations of parents (not just fathers but mothers too) who weren’t taught how to heal, only how to hide and hurt. Wagner is the new voice—gentle, patient, and strong in his faith—showing that belief in God doesn’t have to mean judgment. It can mean mercy.

The film takes time to show that love doesn’t always come easy, and faith doesn’t erase hardship. Wagner’s Catholicism isn’t there for drama—it’s part of who he is. It’s the compass that helps him keep showing up for a father who’s trying to change, even when it hurts. It's also not there for an artistry theme to prove a deeper point. His Catholicism is there because God found him. It's not the film's theological art, the theology is there because it's a central part to the series as a whole.

And Jackie’s struggle isn’t just about addiction—it’s about shame. The film doesn’t shy away from how generational wounds can pass down, or how difficult it is for men—especially fathers—to admit when they’re broken.

Why This Story Matters

In media where faith and being gay are often shown at odds, Boardwalk Dad Detox stands out by showing how they can coexist—quietly, honestly, and with love. Wagner’s story is one many gay men of faith will recognize: holding on to both identity and belief, even when the world tells you they can’t mix.

Jackie’s story, meanwhile, shines a light on parents carrying the weight of their own pasts. He’s not perfect—he’s messy, angry, funny, and deeply human. His love for Wagner isn’t about understanding every part of him—it’s about learning how to show up, even when it’s hard.

Tone and Style

This isn’t a heavy-handed film—it blends slice-of-life comedy, satire, and heartfelt moments in a way that feels both raw and real. Fans of South Park’s honesty, Modern Family’s warmth, and storytelling that values real emotion will feel right at home here.

It’s the kind of movie that sits with you—not because it’s loud, but because it’s true.

Boardwalk Dad Detox is currently in production as part of the I Married a Monster on a Hill universe. It’s a labor of love from indie creators who want to tell stories about fathers, sons, and the faith that holds them together when everything else starts to fall apart.

You can follow the project’s journey and support the pre-launch campaign on Kickstarter.