Gay Uncles Day
August 9
About Gay Uncles Day
Gay Uncles Day, also known as Guncles Day, falls on Sunday, 9 August 2026. Observed on the second Sunday of August each year, it celebrates the gay uncles, aunts and other LGBTQ+ relatives who play a meaningful part in the lives of their nieces, nephews and younger family members. The day exists to improve the visibility of LGBTQ+ people within families and to give relatives the chance to express their appreciation for the role models in their lives.
What is Gay Uncles Day?
Gay Uncles Day is an informal awareness day that honours LGBTQ+ relatives, and in particular the “guncle”, a blend of the words “gay” and “uncle”. It recognises the bond between LGBTQ+ aunts and uncles and the children in their families, and it offers parents an opportunity to thank their LGBTQ+ siblings for the love and guidance they provide. The day is largely celebrated online, where families share photographs and tributes. Although it began in the United States, it is now marked internationally by LGBTQ+ communities and their loved ones.
When is Gay Uncles Day?
Gay Uncles Day is observed on the second Sunday of August every year, which means the date shifts annually. In 2026 it falls on Sunday, 9 August. Because the date is tied to the calendar rather than a fixed day, the table below sets out when Gay Uncles Day falls over the coming years.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, 9 August |
| 2027 | Sunday, 8 August |
| 2028 | Sunday, 13 August |
| 2029 | Sunday, 12 August |
| 2030 | Sunday, 11 August |
Why Gay Uncles Day Matters
For many children, a gay uncle or aunt is their earliest and closest connection to the LGBTQ+ community, offering a first-hand understanding of acceptance, identity and family in all its forms. Guncles often take on a distinctive role, acting as confidants, mentors and steady sources of support outside the immediate parent relationship. By naming and celebrating that role, Gay Uncles Day helps normalise the presence of LGBTQ+ people within everyday family life.
Visibility sits at the heart of the day. The late rugby player and bobsledder Simon Dunn, who did much to popularise the occasion, said his goal was to “normalise the role of the gay uncle, cousin, brother” and argued that the more openly LGBTQ+ relatives and their loved ones live, the less discomfort society feels. In a year when LGBTQ+ rights and representation remain contested in many parts of the world, a light-hearted day rooted in family affection carries a quietly powerful message about belonging.
How to Get Involved in Gay Uncles Day
There are plenty of ways to mark the day, whether you are a guncle yourself or simply want to celebrate one. Here are some ideas.
- Share a photo or tribute online – Post a picture with your niece, nephew or young relative, or share a message about a guncle you love, using the day’s hashtags to add to the wider conversation.
- Plan a day out together – Treat the children in your life to an outing they will remember, from a trip to the cinema or a museum to a simple afternoon in the park.
- Thank the guncle in your family – If you are a parent, take a moment to recognise your LGBTQ+ sibling or relative for the role they play in your children’s lives.
- Send a card or small gift – A handwritten note or a thoughtful present is a warm way to show appreciation, especially for guncles who live far away.
- Cook or bake together – Sharing a meal or making a treat is an easy, memorable way for guncles and their young relatives to spend quality time.
- Support an LGBTQ+ charity – Mark the day by donating to or volunteering with an organisation that supports LGBTQ+ young people and families.
- Start a new family tradition – Use the occasion to create an annual ritual, such as a yearly photo, an outing or a shared hobby that grows with the children over time.
History of Gay Uncles Day
The idea for Gay Uncles Day came from C.J. Hatter of Florida, who on 8 May 2016 wrote a Facebook post declaring, “I hereby proclaim the second Sunday in August to be Gay Uncles’ Day!” The proclamation struck a chord, and the day was first celebrated on a wide scale in the United States on Sunday, 14 August 2016.
The occasion gained real momentum when the Australian rugby player and bobsledder Simon Dunn shared it on Instagram, posting photographs with his nephews and inviting his followers to join in. His advocacy helped frame the day around visibility and acceptance rather than simply novelty. That same August, the broadcaster Anderson Cooper embraced the occasion, sharing a video with his nephew Martin and helping to bring the day to a much larger audience.
In the years since, Gay Uncles Day has been covered by outlets including NBC, The Advocate and Out, and it has spread beyond the United States as LGBTQ+ communities elsewhere adopted it. Because it grew organically from social media rather than from a formal campaign, it has retained a personal, family-led character, with most of the celebration still happening online.
Noteworthy Facts About Gay Uncles Day
- The word “guncle” is a portmanteau of “gay” and “uncle”, and the day is often styled GUNCLE Day for this reason.
- The day was proclaimed in a single Facebook post by C.J. Hatter on 8 May 2016.
- Its first wide-scale celebration took place on Sunday, 14 August 2016.
- Rugby player Simon Dunn was instrumental in popularising the day and framing it around LGBTQ+ visibility.
- Journalist Anderson Cooper joined in during the first year, sharing a video with his nephew that helped the day reach a national audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gay Uncles Day?
Gay Uncles Day, or Guncles Day, is an informal awareness day celebrating LGBTQ+ uncles, aunts and relatives and the role they play in the lives of their nieces, nephews and younger family members. It is mainly marked online and aims to improve LGBTQ+ visibility within families.
When is Gay Uncles Day in 2026?
Gay Uncles Day falls on Sunday, 9 August 2026. It is observed on the second Sunday of August each year, so the date changes annually.
Who started Gay Uncles Day?
The day was created by C.J. Hatter of Florida, who proclaimed it in a Facebook post on 8 May 2016. It was popularised by rugby player Simon Dunn and embraced early on by Anderson Cooper.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing Gay Uncles Day with your friends, family and followers. Use the hashtags #GayUnclesDay and #GunclesDay2026 on social media. The more people who know about Gay Uncles Day, the bigger the impact.
Related Awareness Days
- National Aunt and Uncle Day – A day honouring the aunts and uncles who enrich family life, complementing the spirit of Gay Uncles Day.
- Christopher Street Day – A long-running celebration of LGBTQ+ pride and community that shares the visibility theme at the heart of Guncles Day.
- National Coming Out Day – A day encouraging LGBTQ+ people to live openly, reinforcing the same message of acceptance within families.
Links
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