It’s hard to forget the image of Jacksonville father, Donte Palmer, getting creative to change his baby’s diaper, which went viral last September.
First Coast News spoke with Palmer when he was forced to squat in order to change his son’s diaper in a local restaurant restroom.
Since then, he launched a social media campaign to raise awareness about the lack of changing tables in public places.
“When we first started ‘squat for change,’ it was just an idea. It was a picture I posted out and I said, ‘you know what, let’s have fun with it,’” Palmer said.
With thousands of posts under “#squatforchange”, Donte Palmer says many fathers can relate to this struggle.
“It came to a point where I said, ‘wow I can really change the world,’ change the world’s narrative of how to view a father,” Palmer said.
For months, he’s been the face of this global movement, reaching dozens of countries all over the world.
With celebrities including T.I., D.L. Hughley, Perez Hilton and social media comedian, KevOnStage backing Palmer, his mission to see a change has gained a lot of attention.
Metropolitan areas are following suit with New York City passing a bill requiring all new construction with public restrooms to add changing tables to both men’s and women’s facilities.
Palmer says fighting for changing tables in the sunshine state has come with personal challenges.
“I lost my job previously, so I was struggling financially and having those hard talks with my family behind closed doors,” Palmer said.
Like many young fathers, Donte Palmer is eager to take on a greater share of child-rearing responsibilities that have often been relegated to women.
“It’s not just a changing table," Palmer said. "It changes the image of a marriage. It’s changing the dynamics of what a child should be. It’s changing a lot, and I’m honored to be the face of this movement.”
Palmer says since launching #squatforchange, he's received support from legislators locally and state-wide.
Florida Senator Lauren Book filed a bill in February, that would lead to a requirement in the Florida Building Code that baby-changing tables be included in many buildings that are newly constructed or undergo “substantial” renovations.
The proposed bill will be discussed during the legislative session that begins March 5.