Heart broken for trans friend

People are so cruel. Our good friend Erica is an amazing trans woman who didn’t start living her life as a woman until her 50s. Erica is the most generous and talented person I’ve ever met, truly one of the most kind hearted people I’ve ever met. She’s also an amazingly talented artist.

Here in Grand Rapids MI, we have an event called Art Prize. It turns the downtown into one big art gallery. Erica is a literal genius painter and entered an oil painting into the competition. Her bio was the first time she’d publicly announced her self as a woman. So much courage.

Well she was at her venue yesterday and had an awful experience. The local news was supposed to interview her but decided to feature her assistant who helped with some props. It was obvious why they didn’t put her on TV. It was a story featuring her as an artist and the only shot they showed of her was from a distance.

And when she walked around downtown to view other entries she was met with so much bigotry. Not just stares and snickers, but people making rude comments every few minutes. What the hell is wrong with people? People are different, you learn in Kindergarten to respect everyone.

What Erica built up in her mind into a coming out party of sorts was ruined by bigotry and hatred. Today my wife and I are going to her venue to bring her flowers and support. She says she’ll never walk around downtown again but I’m going to try to get her to walk around with me even if I have to hold her hand. Literally in tears at the cruelty the world is showing this truly gentle and generous soul.