Alexander Paul Burton
Google
Today I visited this location as I like to buy snacks before taking transit home.
Being targeted by a security guard, especially as a gay person, can be frightening for several reasons. First, there's a historical context where figures of authority, including law enforcement and security personnel, have not always been supportive or fair towards LGBTQ+ individuals. Many LGBTQ+ people have faced discrimination, harassment, or violence from authority figures in the past.
Secondly, being targeted by a security guard can evoke feelings of vulnerability and fear of being unfairly treated or judged based on your sexual orientation. It can remind individuals of times when they may have been treated differently or discriminated against because of who they are.
In your specific experience at McDonald's, feeling unwelcome due to the strictness of the security guards can exacerbate these feelings. It creates an environment where you might feel watched or scrutinized simply for being yourself, which is distressing and can impact your sense of safety and comfort.
Overall, being targeted by a security guard as a gay person can be scary because it can revive past traumas, reinforce fears of discrimination, and make you feel unwelcome in public spaces where you should feel safe and accepted.