Alec Mapa & Jamison Hebert: Queer Family, Chosen City—Inside L.A.’s Most Joyful Dads

Alec Mapa has always been a scene-stealer—whether in television’s “Ugly Betty,” on the stand-up stage, or as the quick-witted emcee of West Hollywood Pride. But the role that truly animates him these days? “Dad.” Alongside his husband Jamison Hebert, the pair have crafted a home—and a life—that’s as vibrant and unapologetic as the city they love: Los Angeles .

Their story, rooted deeply in the queer history of chosen family, is as much about visibility as it is about joy. When Mapa and Hebert adopted their son Zion—a Black boy from Compton—they didn’t just expand their family. They became a living, breathing answer to every tired argument ever lobbed against queer parenting .

Mapa’s comedy often mines the gold in everyday parenting mishaps (“I really feel like with LGBTQ families is where homophobia goes to die,” he quipped to an audience at Outfest Fusion, to raucous applause) . At heart, though, both he and Hebert are advocates for family equality.

“I kind of did this special because if you discriminate against children having a safe, loving home, you’ve already lost your argument,” Mapa has said, referencing his documentary-comedy “Baby Daddy,” which chronicles the couple’s journey through the foster-adopt system . The film, a hybrid of stand-up and documentary, is an unfiltered look at queer parenthood—equal parts hilarity and heart.

Hebert, a filmmaker himself, brings his own creative touch, with their son Zion even lending his voice to short films. The family’s creative synergy is a testament to the power of queer families to shape culture, not just adapt to it .

For many LGBTQ+ folks, Los Angeles is more than a destination—it’s a sanctuary, a canvas, a party. Mapa and Hebert’s favorite L.A. spots, shared in their interview, read like a love letter to queer joy in the city: the iconic West Hollywood parade, the Egyptian Theatre for Outfest screenings, and countless neighborhood haunts where rainbow families are not just accepted, but celebrated .

“My kid loves being in the parade,” Mapa shares, beaming. “He watched the parade last year and I said, ‘How did you like it?’ He said, ‘I liked it better when I was in it.’” . The joy is infectious, and it’s easy to see why families like theirs are the living, breathing proof that queer love is not just valid—it’s vital.

Mapa isn’t shy about the political resonance of their family. In a climate where the rights of LGBTQ+ families remain under scrutiny, their openness is both act of resistance and invitation. “We were surrounded by so many LGBT families that we just knew fatherhood was in the cards for us,” Mapa explained in a previous interview .

Their presence in media—on TV, on social, on parade floats—is a reminder that representation isn’t just about being seen; it’s about changing hearts and minds. Every time Mapa cracks a joke about parenthood, or Zion waves from a Pride convertible, they’re rewriting the script for what queer families look like in America .

For Mapa and Hebert, their journey is also a love letter to the next generation of queer parents. “We didn’t think we could have it all—a career, a husband, and a house with a son—but now that we’re living it, we want other people to know they can, too,” Mapa said of his and Hebert’s evolution from party boys to proud parents .

With their son growing up a veteran of L.A. Pride before even hitting double digits, the Mapa-Hebert family embodies what happens when queer people are free to dream, love, and parent out loud.

Ultimately, Alec Mapa and Jamison Hebert’s story is more than a feel-good headline. It’s a call to action for a world where queer families don’t just survive, but thrive—laughing, dancing, and yes, even dad-joking their way through the center of the parade.

As Mapa puts it: “If you want to change the world, start by loving your family out loud.”