ABC countdown – Letter R
R is for rainbow
R is also for rough, respect and report.
It was was R for rainbow day. If you know anything about me you know that I am all about a theme day! And a theme day when I can wear a tutu? YES PLEASE! Plus looking silly is my jam!
Midday I walked to the local Wendy’s to pick up lunch for teammates (not even my own!). While I was there a man started a conversation with me. I said I know I look silly and explained why. He then became agitated and stated calling me a ‘groomer’ and that rainbows had no place in schools. He then said he was going to take my photo and send to the the ‘school district.’ I kindly asked him not to take my picture and this enraged him. He got louder and the employee asked him to leave me alone and not take my picture……well…he was really angry now. He started to walk out and stated that he was going to wait for me outside. He did walk outside and got into a vehicle owned by the city. When I left he did follow me for a bit until I took a photo of the truck.
I returned to school, filed a police report and also called the Inspector General of our city to make a report. I was and am concerned for my students and their families that frequent that Wendy’s. This man may have gay/queer people that work with him! Does he think all LQBTQIA+ people are a walking pride parade like I was today? No. They are everyday people in the community.
Please do not comment “I’m sorry.” My first call on the way back to school, while still shaking, was to my son. I apologized to him that this is his reality. And I cried. One year ago we were in the ER getting him stitched because a homophobe bashed my sons face into a wall.
This is what the LGBTQIA+ community faces in a daily basis. This is why I am and will always be a fierce ally. Allyship is not easy nor fun.
The most ironic part of it all? Look at my hat…. “Be Kind”
Peace
#tutulady
#forwardisapace
Kristine Binder 