Previously, I worked in a warehouse shipping and production department. Bigotry and hostile comments about those that were ‘different’ were common. The comments weren’t specific toward one another, necessarily, but about groups of people in general terms. It wasn’t a very accepting environment.
Three years ago in October of 2010, five gay teenagers committed suicide in three weeks, including Tyler Clementi, who’s death came after his roommate allegedly posted video on the Internet of him having sex with another man. Soon after, people across the country pledged to wear purple to call attention to the deaths.
Part of working in the warehouse facility meant changing out of your street clothes into uniforms of all white. Due to the nature of the production, we weren’t allowed any jewelry or anything outside of our uniforms or street clothes. I remember wanting to take part that day by wearing purple, but I was also worried about the remarks I would get from my co-workers. A combination of having to wear a uniform and the fear of being singled out kept me from doing anything as I got ready for the day.
While at work, most everyone was talking about the deaths and stories in the news about the teens. There wasn’t overt hatred expressed, but it was a more ‘out of sight, out of mind’ conversation and that their sons had better not be gay. It was anything but supportive.
I kept to myself mostly and didn’t engage much in conversation. Around midday and after lunch, I was mad about the conversations I was hearing. The facility shipped internationally and we used large, 5×7 size stickers to designate country destinations on shipments. One of those stickers happened to be purple.
I stepped aside from what I was doing for a few minutes and found a few of the stickers. I fashioned the sticker into a bracelet of sorts and put it on my wrist.
The whole point of that day was to stand strong with my gay friends and family and show my support against the remarks they face everyday. One day is nothing in comparison. I decided I didn’t care what my co-workers thought.
I wore the bracelet and, as I expected, rude and teasing comments came from my co-workers. A lot didn’t say anything. One of my co-workers came up to me, asked me about it, what it meant and where I got it. He didn’t say much about it and walked away.
A little while later I saw that co-worker walk by with his own sticker bracelet on his wrist. That is the last thing I expected to see.
After that, the conversations as the day progressed became more constructive and fulfilling rather than filled with hate and judgement. I feel like many were going with the crowd mentality and joining in with the hateful remarks about the news rather than actually believing what they were saying.
Did it change anything? Probably not. I was happy with myself for deciding to not stand still and go along with it. I’ll never forget the support my other co-worker shared after learning what that day meant. I kept the bracelet still to this day and have it on my bedroom wall with other meaningful items as a reminder to not stay quiet as others spew hate around me.
I’m so happy SCOTUS judges were wearing their purple today, too.