5 Gay Viral Moments Just in Time for Pride

Social media has played a big role in the gay-rights movement.

The It Gets Better Project helps inspire LGBT youth who face bullying or harassment. Many of the initiative's YouTube videos have gone viral, and include submissions ranging from Ellen DeGeneres to Google. What's more, millions of people changed their Facebook and Twitter avatars to a red equal sign to show their support for marriage equality, as the Supreme Court began reviewing DOMA.

But what about those lesser-known events? In honor of Pride celebrations this weekend, we've compiled a list of five gay viral moments that you may not have heard before:

1. "Find Your Understanding" Expedia commercial

This heartwarming Expedia commercial tells the story of father Artie Goldstein traveling across the country for his daughter's same-sex wedding. Get your box of tissues ready — it's a video that will probably leave you misty-eyed.

2. Boston bombing photo

Image courtesy of The Boston Globe

You probably remember this iconic photo from the Boston Marathon bombings that went viral. You probably didn't know that police officer Javier Pagan (far right) is openly gay, and the Boston Police Department's LGBT liaison. This moment might not be as explicitly about the LGBT community as others, but it shows there are heroes from this minority group.

3. Reddit user posts letter from his father

Image courtesy of Reddit, RegBarc

The letter from RegBarc's father after he came out had a huge response on Reddit. The letter might be disheartening, but many members of the Reddit and Imgur communities offered support through their comments.

4. Zach Wahls speaks at Iowa House of Representatives

Before speaking at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, Zach Wahls spoke out in opposition against House Joint Resolution 6, which would end civil unions in Iowa. The video of Wahls talking about his family at the Iowa House of Representatives exploded on the internet.

5. Mom walks in on her son and his boyfriend

Image courtesy of Marc Eddy

In a humorous end to this list, Tumblr user lampsarepeopletoo posted this photo with the caption "my mom walked in on my boyfriend and i naked and then 5 minutes later she slipped this note under my door." The post has garnered over 110,000 notes and continues to be shared. A mom that's supportive and bakes brownies? Double win.

What are some of your favorite gay viral moments? Share them in the comments, below.

Homepage image courtesy of Marc Eddy