This man learned a valuable lesson about bravery (and irony)
A US man tried to make a point about “true bravery” in the wake of Caitlyn Jenner coming out.
Terry Coffey posted a photo of what looked like two US army soldiers, and wrote: “As I see post after post about Bruce Jenner’s transition to a woman, and I hear words like, bravery, heroism, and courage, just thought I’d remind all of us what real American courage, heroism, and bravery looks like.”
However, it emerged the photo was of two GI Joe dolls, posed by photographer Mark Hogencamp – who was once beaten into a coma for being a cross dresser.
Mr Coffey went on to explain, in a later post, why choosing that picture was quite so ironic.
“The photo that accompanied my words yesterday to highlight “true bravery,” was chosen from a quick image search.
“In an ironic twist, I have discovered that the photo is part of a documentary created by a man who was beaten nearly to death outside of a bar in 2000.
“After spending 9 days in a coma, suffering severe brain damage and being unable to walk or talk for a year, he chose to deal with the pain of the tragic event, by creating an imaginary world of characters and photos and stories, all set in WWII. His work is the subject of an upcoming documentary.
“Why was he nearly beaten to death by 5 strangers? Because he was a cross-dresser.
“What happened to this man was cruel, wrong, and unforgivable.
“Hate helps nothing. Love wounds no one.
“And God heals all.
“(and irony makes you think).”
