TW:  Contains imagery and a story of Trump supporters and descriptions of hate speech including but not limited to homophobia, xenophobia, racism, and white nationalism.

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Today my partner Maria and I were driving to the grocery store in our town and we saw a Trump rally happening. I know what you’re thinking- silly gooses the election’s over! But there they were, a pretty large group of Qanon Trump supporters, demanding that we take the election back because it was stolen. Massive trucks and large Trump flags waving in the wind painting a picture just as triggering as you could imagine. Across the street we saw one older lady with a flag of Planet Earth on it, rainbow flags, and names of folks who have died from Covid in a lone protest standing against this hateful group. We walked up to her and she asked if we would join her, we said of course. We went into the store to grab a drink knowing that we were about to be in for a ride, and stumbled upon a soda called Leninade that happens to have the communist hammer and sickle on it. We knew that this orange sugary socialist beverage had to be a part of this experience. We walked up to the Trump rally inspired to create powerful imagery in which we were going to hold the the lemonade and kiss each other in front of them. This simple act of a gay couple holding soda in front of their rally triggered the supporters in ways that could be expected but was still extremely intense to experience in person.

I was immediately shoved by a lady who told us to get out of their space. I was then surrounded by multiple people who started screaming in our face that we need to get out of there and go to our “own side.” I won’t list all the things that were said because they’re very vile but we were then accosted for everything from the way that we looked, to our sexual orientation, to slut-shaming, to assumptions and hatred about me being Muslim.

It was a very heated situation. It also led to one of the most profound things I’ve ever seen in my life. As a woman was screaming in my face about the abomination that is gay sex and another man was telling me we’re everything wrong with this country, I looked over and saw Maria speaking to the initial woman that shoved me. The energy was calm and they were talking like….adults. Maria had found common ground with this woman decked out head to toe in Trump merch. They appealed to the woman’s sensibilities through speaking to her as another working class person who is simply seeking the same things she is- security, shelter, food, and safety. Maria explained that we are all living in one nation with the same struggles and desires. They ultimately hammered home that everyone deserves respect no matter what even if they don’t look or live or think like you. Even though it was clear that Maria stands for leftist ideals while this lady still identified as a conservative, through having a respectful heart-to-heart conversation I heard this woman apologize to Maria five times for the way she behaved. She then turned to me and apologized and even offered to hug us. 

We ultimately went across the street and peacefully demonstrated for anti-fascism, black lives matter, gay and trans rights, and that democracy has already spoken to who the winner of the 2020 election is. Although we were standing on opposite sides of the street Maria was right. We’re all just people that want the same things: security, love, respect, and to be heard and seen. Although the majority of those people will go home and continue to spread their bigotry and hate, it was truly humbling to see at least one Qanon-er come out of their stupor for a moment to greet the concept of decency and humanity for all.