FIGHT CLUB! WHAT THE HATERS ARE SAYING.
THE HATER
An American mother rejects her teenage son for coming out, allegedly abusing him with “super f*ucking homophophibic” language.
THE REPLY
On social media, the son publishes his mother’s secret recipe for meatloaf, which is allegedy a closely guarded family dish, passed down the generations. He calls it “revenge loaf”. When his post goes viral, reviews are almost entirely negative about it leaving a bad taste in the mouth.
THE HATER
US president Donald Trump deliberately refers to trans woman Chelsea Manning – the American whistleblower who leaked classified military information – as “a young gentleman” during a press conference.
THE REPLY
Manning (pictured) uses Twitter to share her official response, using the two words of the moment: “OK boomer”, a term coined by younger people online as a way to dismiss the intolerance of older people. The tweet goes viral, to the irritation of Mr Trump.
THE HATER
Men who have sex with men continue to be barred from donating blood in the UK, despite calls from activists to change the policy.
THE REPLY
Activists team up with medical professionals to open a blood bank in London specifically for gay men in an “act of defiance”, with rugby player Keegan Hirst (pictured) bringing media attention to the protest by being one of the first to donate. More than 2,300 gay men pledge to give blood at the centre and those visiting are given cards stating they’d be a “future donor’ “if permitted by law.
THE HATER
An anti-gay New Zealand shopkeeper tells tourists not to eat at the Saluté Tapas Restaurant in Greytown because it is owned by gay men.
THE REPLY
A woman on the receiving end of the shopkeeper’s homophobic behaviour eats at Saluté and shares her experience online, stating the “food, atmosphere and service were all fantastic”, leading to a flood of support for the gay owners on social media and promoting it to potential customers around the world. Even The New Zealand Herald makes a visit, publishing a review confirming “the food and service is consistently excellent”.