Pride

It is Pride month and I want to wish everyone a Happy Pride! I also want to share this special post.

The Washington Blade followed my lawsuit and there was a reporter in the courtroom during the 2 weeks of trial. Following my lawsuit win, they published an article (you can find that article here: (https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/03/18/d-c-jury-finds-aarp-services-illegally-fired-gay-man/). AARP (laughingly) states that Mr. Flanagan lawfully terminated me in this article (see below). Please explain to me how I was lawfully terminated when it was found I was discriminatorily fired? While I know two things can be true at the same time, this is not one of them. I was discriminated against and illegally fired. End of story.

God, I wish that last sentence about being committed to an "inclusive culture" was true.

I'll share a little story, it was June 2016, Pride Month, a gay co-worker had put up Pride Flags on our name placards outside our offices. These placards had a space over our name and were used to house photos, stickers, whatever on them. This gay co-worker put them on his, mine, Gregg Hampton, and Matt Phillips placards as our offices were the corner of the floor and we are all gay. We were told we needed to take these Pride Flags down as it was not in accordance with policy. So, a picture of cats, your kid, or random stickers were OK, but these Pride Flags during the month of Pride were not OK. That is the "inclusive" AARP. I can tell you, it didn't feel warm or offer belonging. It also didnt make me feel welcome, quite the opposite. It felt petty, small, and discriminating. We were forced to remove them. This is AARP's truth, not marching in the Pride parade or saying how many LGBT employees you have, the truth shows up in the everyday. It shows up when you think no one is listening or looking. When you believe you have power over someone and that they cannot fight back, that is your truth.

AARP can try to portray itself wrapped in the Pride Flag singing "I am what I am", but that is patently false. The evidence is too great. They finally got caught in public and are trying to change the narrative. I truly think they don't know what to do, because no one has been able to fight them before. They have crushed everyone else who has brought a lawsuit because they have so much money and most or really no one can truly fight them. I am not happy to be the one to expose them, but sometimes things are forced on you whether you want it or not.

So, during this Pride month when we in the LGBTQ+ community stand up and celebrate how far we have come, think about my story and what happened to me and see the REAL AARP. Actions speak louder than words.