I am a security guard at a sports stadium during a busy event. An angry-looking customer has left his seat and found me in the concourse.
Customer: “There are two perverts making a display of themselves for all to see!”
Shocked, I follow him and start looking around. I see no evidence of a “perverted display”. I ask him for details.
Customer: *Pointing* “Those two men! Right there!”
Me: “They’re just sitting down during halftime, sir. What am I supposed to be seeing here?”
Customer: “Well, they’re not doing it now, but earlier one got down on his knee and proposed to the other! At a football match! That’s obscene!”
Me: “So, you’re saying the perverted display was a couple getting engaged in public?”
Customer: “These two men should not be promoting their choices in front of a crowd, especially my children!”
Me: “Ah… So, it’s homophobia, then.”
Customer: “It is not homophobia, but they’re ramming it down our throats! All the time! I’m sick of seeing it!”
Me: “But you wouldn’t have had an issue if the couple proposing in front of everyone was straight?”
Customer: “Well… I…”
Me: “Sir, what I do next based on your complaint means you need to answer me honestly right now. Would you have an issue with any couple getting engaged at the stadium, or is it just that particular couple?”
Customer: “Look, I can see what you’re trying to do. I can see that you’re not sympathetic to my values so I would like to talk to the guy in charge.”
Me: “In charge of security?”
Customer: “Yes!”
I comply with his request and call over the head of security who is, by her own admission, the “butchest lesbian on the East Coast”. She is terrifying when she wants to be, and after I tell her why I have called her over, she comes by on a rampage. As soon as she approaches, I introduce her to the customer.
Customer: *To me* “This is the head of security?!”
Me: “As requested!”
Security Manager: “So, you’re the one whose masculinity was attacked by two men finding happiness?”
Customer: “That is no way to professionally deal with a complaint!”
Security Manager: “If you had a complaint, then I would take it seriously. You have a prejudice, and those I will mock like the useless wastes of oxygen that they are. Now, will you shut up and enjoy the second half of the game, or will I be doing some escorting today?”
The customer glares at us both but says he will try to focus on the game despite the obscene displays.
Security Manager: “Excellent! I’m going to enjoy watching the game myself from riiiiiight here, just to make sure that all our valued guests can also enjoy the rest of the game without anyone causing a scene.”
She does as she said she would, and the bigot leaves his seat a few minutes before the end of the game. He mutters something about sexuality being a choice and how we shouldn’t defend that choice.
Manager: *Shouting out to him as he leaves* “Oh, my God! It’s a choice! Why didn’t you tell me? That would have saved me years of homelessness after being kicked out! Wow… I learned something new today!”
I love working with her.