HURTFUL WORDS: Help me to understand

I wish you could understand the hurt in your words.

My quiet early morning grocery trip came to an abrupt end this morning when I reached the checkout and overheard two employees engaging in an astoundingly hurtful and misinformed transgender and nonbinary bashing session. It was so harsh, so cruel, so unnecessary, so destructive. I wish you could understand the hurt you are causing yourself, and others, when you do this. I wish you could get to know some people who are nonbinary or transgender. You would see that they are people just like you and me. People with joys, hopes, fears and tears.

Please help me to understand your words. It was surprising to me that you were so bold to say them while on the clock and within earshot of other customers. You must feel very strongly about this. Let’s have coffee, or lunch, or a stroll through a park and let me hear your concerns.

JEFF WICKHAM (he/him), president

PFLAG Coeur d’Alene/Kootenai County

pflagcdakootenai@gmail.com