Recently I attended an event called "Transcendent Tuesdays" which l found out about on their Instagram, in the parking lot this establishment had a small group of vendors which included both from St Johns which was offering free samples of life-saving drug tests for fentanyl and Narcan for those in need after overdosing. While I do not partake in illicit drugs I wanted some on hand for those that may just in case of an emergency.
There was no one @ the booth and I noticed the next booth over a lady getting a tattoo. I asked her if she knew who was operating the both and she informed me that she was. I told her how important and wonderful it was that this was part of the event & she replied, "Thanks & help yourself to the free samples." I then took a few samples and proceeded to explore the other booths when a person came over with 2 other women in tow and said "These are for our community & you're not part of our community," I replied, "That's why I'm here is to support this division of the LGBTQIA community." She then very aggressively & loudly replied, "You're not part of this community." I asked her, Why are you speaking to me in such an aggressive negative tone and she replied, I'm the event promoter and as a transgender lesbian free speaking female I can speak to you however I want," to which I replied, "Then you will be talking to the air," & I walked away as she seemed to enjoy being confrontational & wanted to impress her 2 friends in tow with her nastiness.
After a couple of minutes, the promoter came over and wanted to start giving me a hard time again about the samples & I told her that I asked the lady who was getting a tattoo that runs the booth & she told me to help myself. So the promoter walked over to that lady and asked if that was true and she replied while rolling her eyes, "Yes I told him to help himself, what's the big deal?"
The promoter was then even more visibly upset because what I told her was the truth & she then stormed off with her 2 friends mumbling under her breath. I proceeded to the opposite end of the area & was chatting with another customer and I noticed the promoter pointed me out to the owners of the bar who came racing over and interrupted my conversation and said " I need to talk with you right now." I said sure & pardoned myself from the customer. The lady who interrupted us said in a nasty tone "I own the bar & I was told that you said something inappropriate to one of the attendees & I'm going to have to ask you to leave!" I replied, "That is a complete lie let me tell you what happened," to which the owner replied, "Your side of the story doesn't matter at this point we just want you to leave, now!" The owner wanted to continue to talk over me when I gave her the respect & courtesy to listen to what she was saying, she then reiterated to me that she was told that I said something inappropriate to an attendee & we're going to ask you to leave & I replied, "Well it does matter to me & I am going to stand up for myself and for the truth & then I will gladly leave." So I did, and I got no response except mean faces from her and her partner. So I left.
When I got home I was really upset and my feelings were hurt because I had come to support their establishment and the event and ended up being accused of something I never did and the owner & her partner took the side of their promoter over the truth as the promoter was putting money in their pockets as this is a weekly event. The fact is the promoter was clearly in the wrong and even after verifying with the booth vendor what I said was the truth she still had a bone to pick with me perhaps because she knew she was in the wrong and was embarrassed in front of her 2 friends & didn't like the fact I was speaking the truth!
After sharing my story with others in the community I was encouraged to write this review for several reasons, 1. I didn't speak inappropriately to anyone at anytime, not my style. 2. I was there to support this division of the #LGBTQIA community. 3. I believe in transparency & truth for all and will not stand idly by when someone falsely accuses me.
In closing, no telling what the promoter said to the owner as there are always 2 sides to a story and the owners need to remember that and not try to shut people down when trying to do so as it is integral in the everyday workings of an establishment. Shame on the Transedant Tuesdays promoter for her mean-spirited actions & more importantly, shame on the owner(s) Emily & Mara for willfully supporting her bad behavior & displaying the same themselves. I find this whole thing to be so disappointingly ridiculous as it happened over drug test samples to save others' lives. That is the important takeaway here.
I hope soon the LGTBQIA bar owners will support the paramount of LISTENING & treat all with respect especially those who stand up for ALL who speak the #TRUTH and not choose to believe lies in the name of greed. Truth has no price tag! read more