Peter Kafka

And I remember just sweating and feeling so uncomfortable. And then out of the corner of my eye, I see our waitress who was very tall, was very blonde, a caricature of the caricature of the Hooters waitress. And she slides into the booth across from me. And I wish I remember exactly what she said, but I know it was something along the lines of, you're perfect just the way you are, kid.

And I remember just sweating and feeling so uncomfortable. And then out of the corner of my eye, I see our waitress who was very tall, was very blonde, a caricature of the caricature of the Hooters waitress. And she slides into the booth across from me. And I wish I remember exactly what she said, but I know it was something along the lines of, you're perfect just the way you are, kid.

And I remember just sweating and feeling so uncomfortable. And then out of the corner of my eye, I see our waitress who was very tall, was very blonde, a caricature of the caricature of the Hooters waitress. And she slides into the booth across from me. And I wish I remember exactly what she said, but I know it was something along the lines of, you're perfect just the way you are, kid.

And it just meant the absolute world to me.

And it just meant the absolute world to me.

And it just meant the absolute world to me.

Yeah. I mean, who knows if it was how I held myself or how my voice quivered when I responded to her or how I never quite met her gaze or how I was just sweating my way through the lunch. But she could tell that I was not comfortable. And I don't know if that's because she actually clocked me as gay, but she... could tell that I was hurting in that moment, and she wanted to help.

Yeah. I mean, who knows if it was how I held myself or how my voice quivered when I responded to her or how I never quite met her gaze or how I was just sweating my way through the lunch. But she could tell that I was not comfortable. And I don't know if that's because she actually clocked me as gay, but she... could tell that I was hurting in that moment, and she wanted to help.

Yeah. I mean, who knows if it was how I held myself or how my voice quivered when I responded to her or how I never quite met her gaze or how I was just sweating my way through the lunch. But she could tell that I was not comfortable. And I don't know if that's because she actually clocked me as gay, but she... could tell that I was hurting in that moment, and she wanted to help.

And you shared this story while you were at the airport, hungover. I did. I really didn't think about it much. And then, of course, I get on the airplane. I don't have access to Wi-Fi. I land at LaGuardia some five hours later, and I think it was already over 100,000 likes.

And you shared this story while you were at the airport, hungover. I did. I really didn't think about it much. And then, of course, I get on the airplane. I don't have access to Wi-Fi. I land at LaGuardia some five hours later, and I think it was already over 100,000 likes.

And you shared this story while you were at the airport, hungover. I did. I really didn't think about it much. And then, of course, I get on the airplane. I don't have access to Wi-Fi. I land at LaGuardia some five hours later, and I think it was already over 100,000 likes.

Part of the response I anticipated. I thought that folks would be charmed by the story, would find it sweet and sentimental. The part of the response that I did not anticipate was the deluge of direct messages from queer people who described very similar dynamics, very similar experiences. I describe it in the piece as a baptism into manhood.

Part of the response I anticipated. I thought that folks would be charmed by the story, would find it sweet and sentimental. The part of the response that I did not anticipate was the deluge of direct messages from queer people who described very similar dynamics, very similar experiences. I describe it in the piece as a baptism into manhood.

Part of the response I anticipated. I thought that folks would be charmed by the story, would find it sweet and sentimental. The part of the response that I did not anticipate was the deluge of direct messages from queer people who described very similar dynamics, very similar experiences. I describe it in the piece as a baptism into manhood.

Time and again, I saw the exact same refrain, conversion therapy with a side of ranch. These young men who... didn't know what they were being brought into, being coaxed into the family sedan and driven to Hooters to ogle some breasts.

Time and again, I saw the exact same refrain, conversion therapy with a side of ranch. These young men who... didn't know what they were being brought into, being coaxed into the family sedan and driven to Hooters to ogle some breasts.

Time and again, I saw the exact same refrain, conversion therapy with a side of ranch. These young men who... didn't know what they were being brought into, being coaxed into the family sedan and driven to Hooters to ogle some breasts.

A lot of them were similar, but there was a great deal of diversity as well. I note in the piece, Mike Dare... grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and his father would take him to Hooters quite regularly. Mike told me that he was a very flamboyant little boy. It was clear from an early age that he was queer. And this one particular meal was seared into his memory.

A lot of them were similar, but there was a great deal of diversity as well. I note in the piece, Mike Dare... grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and his father would take him to Hooters quite regularly. Mike told me that he was a very flamboyant little boy. It was clear from an early age that he was queer. And this one particular meal was seared into his memory.