US: Model pepper sprayed in women’s restroom

Model and activist Rain Dove has revealed that they were pepper sprayed in a women’s restroom and they’re sharing their story after reconciling with the attacker so as to educate others. Dove posted on Instagram about the attack, which they told PinkNews happened in a high school toilet in Ashville, North Carolina, on October 4.

Speaking to PinkNews, Dove, who had been at the school for a meeting, explained that they were confronted by a woman in the restroom with her children.

“This person shrieked and hit me—not directly in the eyes—but just got a good cloud of mace in my face.” The 29 year old said that a security guard came in and asked if they were okay, saying the employee initially tried to take them away from the sink where they were washing out their eyes “because they thought I was a man in the restroom.”

Dove explained that they didn’t hear anything following the assault, until the perpetrator messaged them directly—”on every single social media” [platform]—towards the end of October. Speaking to PinkNews, Dove said that they hoped the exchange would educate others about the LGBT+ community.

They said that they have organised a Skype conversation with the woman on Friday evening (November 23). A trans friend of Dove’s will speak in the Skype call, so as to teach the woman more about trans issues.

“It’s not my first time being attacked in that kind of way,” Dove said.

“But this is the first time that anyone has ever followed up. Read more via PinkNews