Design duo and proud parents respond to controversial gay rights decision with love, resilience, and visibility.
Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent aren’t just two of the most beloved home design personalities on television—they’re also partners, husbands, and devoted fathers of two. And when the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its controversial ruling in favor of a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, Berkus and Brent didn’t stay silent.
“We’re not going anywhere,” Brent said firmly, speaking out against discrimination while standing proudly beside Berkus. “Our response has always been to live openly and honestly—and we’re going to continue to do that.”
Their message was simple, yet powerful: inclusion, visibility, and the unapologetic celebration of their family.
A Love Story Built on Authenticity
Berkus and Brent’s journey began in 2012 when they met through mutual friends in the design world. Berkus, already a household name thanks to his appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, was navigating life after the tragic loss of his former partner, Fernando Bengoechea, in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Brent, a rising star in interior design, brought a new sense of light into Berkus’s life. The couple married in a stunning ceremony at the New York Public Library in May 2014—becoming one of the first same-sex couples to be wed in that historic location.
Their wedding was not just a celebration of love, but a symbolic moment for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media.
Building a Family and a Future
In 2015, they welcomed their first child, Poppy, via surrogacy. Two years later, their son Oskar arrived. The couple has been intentional about sharing parts of their life as two gay dads—not just through social media but through their HGTV series, Nate and Jeremiah by Design.
“The show is about renovations, yes,” Brent once said, “but at its heart, it’s about letting people into the lives of two gay dads who are raising a family just like any other. We want people to see that we’re more alike than different.”
They’ve also discussed the decision to let their children appear on the show. For them, it’s not about fame—it’s about showing the world what a modern, loving family looks like. “We let people into our home to see what our life is really about,” Berkus said. “That’s a conscious decision, and one we take seriously.”
Responding with Grace and Purpose
The Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission sparked national debate. While the court stopped short of setting a precedent that would allow businesses to broadly discriminate against same-sex couples, it did rule that the baker’s religious beliefs were not given fair consideration.
Berkus and Brent, like many in the LGBTQ+ community, found the ruling disheartening—but not surprising.
“We understand the world we live in,” Berkus admitted. “We would prefer people not judge us, but we know it happens. That’s why we keep showing up.”
Their visibility has always been about more than fame or ratings—it’s about fighting prejudice with presence.
Parenting with Pride
At the heart of their message is their role as dads. “Everything changed the moment we became parents,” Brent said in a previous interview. “We knew we wanted our kids to grow up in a world where they see love as love, and where no family is considered less than.”
Whether it’s diaper duty or designing dream homes, the couple balances fame and fatherhood with heart. Through social media, their series, and public speaking, Nate and Jeremiah continue to normalize what it means to be a gay couple raising a family in America.
And when rulings like Masterpiece Cakeshop make headlines, they respond not with outrage—but with visibility, love, and the reminder: “We’re not going anywhere.”
0 Comments