This weekend comedian Michael Hartney's partner Turtle was standing outside of their home when a man walked by and called him a "faggot." Rather than take it, however, Turtle took a cue from the hollaback movement, whipped out his phone and confronted the man—who doesn't deny what he said ("Yes, I did") and quickly grows quite frustrated, finally pushing his personal paparazzi.
Our neighbors saw this altercation, and told Turtle that this man has been harassing their thirteen year-old son for years, sometimes even calling him “faggot” while the kid was in recess at school with his peers. They know who he is and where he lives. They’ve been too scared for the kid’s safety to do anything about it. But it’s going to end today.
Turtle called the cops and is going to file a complaint tomorrow morning. I don’t know what’s going to happen yet, but hopefully this jerk will learn that we’re not going to put up with this crap in our neighborhood anymore.
While the video isn't quite as life affirming as the one of the anonymous gay man who yelled down a subway "preacher" it is interesting and brings up questions about how to respond when someone calls you a name (stay calm and carry a camera) and if it is okay to call the place you live your home (it is).
