Drag Race season 14 contestant Jasmine Kennedie detailed a terrifying encounter with a transphobe while on the subway coming home from a gig on Monday.
The drag star was able to capture moments of the confrontation and posted the video to her social media. “Last night on the way home from work, I was harassed and followed by a man all because I am a trans woman,” Kennedie captioned a post.
Kennedie was dressed in full drag when a man sat “very, very close” to her. Then, the man began spewing hateful comments and told her that “this is Trump’s America,” “Trump is still your daddy,” and called her the F slur.
But Kennedie, who came out as trans while filming her season of Drag Race, remained ever vigilant in standing up to the man.
“In Trump's America, trans women are being targeted with hate and they are trying to stoke fear into us. I will never allow someone to make me coward, make me feel insignificant. I am PROUD OF WHO I AM!! Nothing will stop me from living my life. TRANS LIVES MATTER!!! Remember to stay safe yall, and never let fear stop you from living your life authentically.”
Thankfully, Jasmine confirmed she was safe and praised those nearby who helped de-escalate the situation and supported her afterwards.
Followers on Instagram, were able to identify the man who worked at a New York City gym called Gym U. After contacting the gym and filing a formal complaint, Kennedie’s followers began sending messages to Gym U about the incident and within 24 hours of her post the man was fired from his job.
“I was actually very proud of myself because in this world, in this climate, they want us to be afraid,” said Kennedie. “They want us to be scared. They don’t want us to be able to stand up for ourselves. And this person was very shocked to see that I, as a trans woman, was willing to stand up for myself and my rights.”
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