If there was any wonder from the heteronormative world why Pride Month is necessary, all they need to do is look no further than Alcoa, Tennessee. On June 9 in the Blount County community, two teenage girls Jasmine Martinez and Carmen McClain were decorating a bridge that has been known for communal art with Pride flags when a “Karen” approached the girls and went on a tirade.
The whole incident was originally captured by McClain and put on her TikTok account. Even though McClain removed the video, it was saved elsewhere. It didn’t take long for the internet to identify the Karen. Many people across social media identified the woman as Tabitha Dardeau Travis of Maryville, TN, but they didn’t stop there. Travis’ workplace was revealed as well, Blount Memorial Hospital, which is affiliated with the Mayo Clinic.
This is Tabitha Dardeau Travis of Maryville, TN. She works at @Blount_Memorial’s Wellness Center. pic.twitter.com/I1FDhwujTr
— Opossum Press (@OpossumPress) June 9, 2021
@auntkaren0 #PerfectAsWeAre #pridemonth ty@yummy_carmennn420 for posting #tdwhbwwh #karens
Once Travis was exposed, many took to Twitter to confront the employer about her homophobic behavior.
https://twitter.com/dave_whitewater/status/1402791323560775680
https://twitter.com/manicsquirrel/status/1402668575454793735
@Blount_Memorial u have Tabitha Dardeau Travis employed by u. Are u sure u wnt to have someone tht lacks character & disrespects humanity represent'g ur establishment, a place where patients rely on a friendly caring staff? Time to kick her to the curb! https://t.co/aij2O4FXwz https://t.co/T90Ka5QjER
— Karma's a Bitch (Hello, I'm Karma🐾) (@KarmaKitten53) June 11, 2021
Martinez also posted various photos and videos on her Instagram account to not only expose Travis’ behavior but how there were others in that town writing homophobic messages over the Pride flags.
McClain shared on her TikTok account how people in the community came out in support of her and her girlfriend but also for the LGBTQ community.
@carmen.m888 wow. thank you to EVERYONE for this. you have absolutely no clue what this means to me.
Sources: yummy_carmennn420 TikTok Account, Jasmine Martinez Instagram Account, Opossum Press Twitter Account, TikTok’s Favorite Karen TikTok Account, WBIR Channel 10 Official YouTube Channel, WBIR Channel 10,
A free speech bridge should be just for that “free speech”. If she wanted to express her point of view by painting over what she feels is a reprehensible part of society being forced down the throats of others at every turn, then so be it. I have no idea why they feel the need to have “pride” when it comes to their own private business. No ones really cares what happens behind closed doors so maybe they should keep their lifestyles private.
Bozo.
STFU!!
It’s telling that that is EXACTLY what that karen was saying, “if you’d only shut up.” It seems that the power of our voices scare the cishet shit out of her! LOL!
We need to come closer as a Community of LGBTQ+ people and stand United as a large group and make our voices heard across the nation as ONE voice and get all states and the Government to step in and make a declaration for us as a community so that this crap will be punishable by large hefty fines and real Jail time to mark their permeant records and have their employers notified as to what they have done.
As an RN, this behavior from someone in my profession is disturbing. However, no one by that name holds a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse License in the state of Tennessee. However, a Tabitha Travis from Alco, TN (near Maryville) does hold a Physical Therapy Assistant license.
Thank u for noting this clarification. I truly support calling intolerant hateful ppl such as this woman painting over and insulting these teens. But ppl need to be very clear and correct in asserting all aspects of the person’s identify is correct be it name, profession, POE. And finally thank you for ur service as a health professional-our nurses are and have always been front line to all things in this world so I’m even more grateful for your work this past year but always. Best regards!
What one does on their off hours or their views should not be used by employers to prevent freedom of speech and fire them. If she did it on the job is one thing but OFF TIME IS OFF LIMITS.
So harassing a couple of teenage girls not to mention berating them with homophobic and xenophobic comments is fine because it’s her “off-hours”? Give me a break! To be arguing with a couple of teenage girls, she shows a lack of maturity and judgment, not to mention the sense of entitlement that she projects, If she acts this way when she knew very well those girls were possibly videoing her, it’s safe to say this attitude of entitlement spills over into her professional life. Seeing this video and knowing she was a nurse, I would not want her to be treating me if I ever came into her hospital.
Her freedom of speeach isn’t and wouldn’t be violated. The 1st amendment says the government can’t restrict speech, it doesn’t mean you can say anything you want. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences that follow. Would you want a police officer who openly was a Neo Nazi, but only in his off hours?
If I were a minority I would not want to be treated by someone I know hates me this much just because of the color of my skin
It’s telling that that is EXACTLY what that karen was saying, “if you’d only shut up.” It seems that the power of our voices scare the cishet shit out of her! LOL!
Anything you do on or off work reflects on your morals and your mentality. She works in healthcare, presumably in physical therapy which means hands on with patients. If she’s that unstable she doesn’t need to be working at a medical facility where she could potentially come into contact with an LGTBTQ person. What kind of care would she give knowing her attitude toward the community? She needs to be gone.
Freedom of speech doesn’t come with freedom from consequences. And most companies, especially companies with a high level of public visibility, such as a hospital, do have clauses in their employee handbooks about public behaviors that can reflect poorly on the company or hospital. I know that mine does. And when an employee signs that employee handbook, they are acknowledging and accepting the consequences they may face from social media posts and public behaviors.
The First Amendment doesn’t apply to private employers. If the employer believes that the employee’s actions reflect negatively on the company, the employer is fully within its rights to terminate her employment.
While I see your point for someone not in the healthcare field, this shows a level of disrespect and lack of empathy. How will she treat an LGBTQ+ patient under her care?
Sit down and shut up, tRumpie.
What you do reflects your employment! She’s a vile and disgusting monster, and if she does work with patients, she needs to be fired. She lacks the biggest skill for health-care… empathy!
It’s off limits? She works with the public. Of all races, sexual orientations, and nationalities. This is health care. They take an oath. And her views clearly show she discriminates. They have ALL THE RIGHT IN THE WORLD to fire that trash. Before she gets someone killed.
Actually no. In the US a business has a right to fire anyone for any reason they want, so long as it’s not due to discrimination. They are absolutely in their right to fire this woman for her behavior.
First off, she should be fired immediately. I would NEVER want someone like her helping me or anyone that I care about. She is unstable and the type of person that would harm someone if she doesn’t like them. She should be forced to repaint what she destroyed and should be forced by law to attend sensitivity course on hate and LGBT issues. They should also sentence her to garbage cleanup at a weekend pride celebration. She is a dumb bitch!!!
You were doing great until the last sentence. Avoid stooping to their level.
Such tolerance being showed in this chat…