Leatherwood: I’m a Survivor of Political Discrimination 

By Emma Jimenez

Republicans and Democrats clashing over political differences is nothing new, but support for Donald Trump’s presidency often evokes the very worst from his non-supporters.

David Leatherwood who goes by the name “@realbrokebackpatriot” on social media, is an outspoken gay Trump supporter living in St. Petersburg, FL. Leatherwood, who provided four and a half years of service to Craft Kafe, a small coffee shop located in St. Petersburg, FL. He was forced into unemployment following a series of demands from self-proclaimed progressive liberals, who threatened to boycott his place of employment unless he was immediately terminated due to a compilation of pro-Trump and right leaning tweets posted on his social media accounts.

Yes, you can be fired from your place of employment for your political beliefs or activities. When it comes to private employers and your first amendment rights, they don’t apply. Very few states such as California protect employees from discrimination based on their political affiliations and activities.

Federal law prohibits discrimination against public or private employees on the basis of sex, religion, color, and national origin. Federal laws don’t prohibit political discrimination.

It is not entirely illegal in the US for employers to terminate employees based on their political beliefs. The Bill of Rights only prevents the government from infringing upon citizens’ speech, it doesn’t shield workers within the private sector from being fired over speech in or outside of the workplace.

The Aftermath

So, where is Leatherwood now? The unfortunate incident didn’t stop Leatherwood from supporting President Donald Trump or from toning down his political opinions on social media. The unfortunate experience motivated Leatherwood to go into politics and activism full time.

“I will not stop; I will only fight harder. The stakes are high, the future of our country is on the line. It’s more important now than ever before to stand your ground.”

Leatherwood’s support for President Donald Trump was further validated when President Trump’s official campaign reached out to him in a letter and thanked him for being a supporter of President Trump and for standing up for his political beliefs. Leatherwood read the letter in an emotional live video via Instagram.

Since the incident with Craft Kafe Leatherwood, has managed to garner thousands of followers from all walks of life thanking him for sticking to his beliefs and for being a devoted patriot.

Leatherwood has also decided to focus much of his time on supporting congressional candidate Anna Paulina Luna. Luna is running for Congress in Florida’s 13th Congressional district against Democratic incumbent Charlie Crist.

“Since Anna is running in the district I live in; I am able to be much more hands on with her campaign on a grassroots level- everything from knocking doors to organizing major fundraising events within the community. On a national level, I am able to use my social media platform to support and endorse other pro-America candidates across the country.”

As a gay social media influencer, Leatherwood has made it his mission to use his social media platform to educate his following on how Gay Republicans do exist and aren’t demanding any “special treatment,” and educating his base on how detrimental the leftists agenda is to the LGBT community. Leatherwood spends his time educating his base on why he considers president Trump to be the most pro-gay president in U.S. history. Currently, Leatherwood is on the Advisory board with the Official Trump Pride Coalition- the latest coalition to join the Trump campaign that specifically reaches out to LGBT Americans and their allies. The coalition is dedicated to re-electing Donald Trump. Leatherwood, is also affiliated with Outspoken– a campaign that promotes LGBT Conservative and Republican voices.

//pf