When 'This Is America' Becomes an Antigay Slur
In his approximately 100 days in office, Donald Trump has changed America — for the worse. Musician Susan Surftone recounts a harrowing experience highlighting the damage he's wrought.
BY SUSAN SURFTONE
APRIL 26 2017 5:05 AM EDT
Donald Trump has changed America in his first 100 days. Of this I have no doubt, as I experienced the change firsthand on a recent flight from Los Angeles to Portland, Ore.
The flight was about an hour late leaving L.A. and was full. I was seated in the back in seat 28D on the aisle. Three white males were traveling together in seats 27 A, B, and C. The flight was uneventful. Passengers deplaned in typical fashion, and with a full plane, it was slow going. I was up in the aisle ready to go with a few people including a little girl, about 4 years old, behind me also ready to go.
The three males in row 27 waited until the plane was completely empty in front of us before they even got up. The flight crew was in the front of the plane. As I went past them the man in the aisle seat stood up and blocked my way with his arm actually pushing me back a bit. I must say I was tempted to see if my FBI training, although a bit rusty, would have allowed me to inflict some damage on that arm. Our FBI trainers said you never forget. However, I wanted to go home, as did the people behind me, and that little girl didn’t need to see an altercation. I like the airline and want to continue flying with them, and I like my TSA pre-check status. I also didn’t want to be on the local news or go viral on social media, so restraint was the better part of valor. I did comment on his rudeness, and then it started.
The “dyke/lesbian” taunts. I haven’t heard those in decades, and maybe never in a place like a commercial plane. So I have these three white males in front of me calling me names. I answered, keeping it low-key and civil. Then I heard one of them say, “This is America.” What? When that is said to you it has an impact. What does that imply? This is America and I am lesser than you? I guess so.
I had to respond, and that led to more taunts. By now we were walking down the aisle and onto the Jetway. I heard one of them say, “This is Portland, not San Francisco.” Good thing he knew that, because as soon as we got into the terminal they were lost. I had my last laugh and walked to the exit while they stood there befuddled.
Donald Trump has changed us. In his America, white males can man-handle a woman who dares to step ahead of them. Public taunting of people deemed “other” is fine, because this is America.
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http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2017/4/26/when-america-becomes-antigay-slur
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Portland, like most large cities on the upper West Coast, (including Seattle, near where I live!) is a safe haven for LGBTQ people. Dipshit must think San Francisco is the only city in the world with gay people.
