I always find it interesting how individuals today manage the fight-or-flight reflex when facing a potential physical confrontation or duress. As much as it pains me, I gotta side with Goth on this one. And please don't everyone rip me a new one for what I write next.
Arguably, the milquetoast mom is mainly to blame for not taking into account the surroundings before taking her son to that setting decked out like that. She herself admits that other store customers were giggling at her son's attire and questioning his gender. Her son is only a few years removed from some teen-aged gaggle somewhere. I get her aim at being tolerant and supportive of her son's choices but I was raised to not give someone a stick to beat me over the head with.
Unless she lives in a bubble she should have a sense of the reaction that attire on her son would most likely elicit, right, wrong, or otherwise. So, why she chose to make her young son a litmus test for tolerance (or intolerance) at such as tender age is beyond me. I'm also in the same camp as Jane in thinking that she's also slightly in denial and perhaps conflicted about his bent.
I've concluded that the world in which we live is extremely dangerous and unpredictable. The moment we leave the sanctity of our homes anything goes. Sometimes the best offense is a good defense and that extends to our presentation, i.e. go-along to get-along. If all the world is indeed a stage then perhaps it's wise to play to the audience before us.
Finally, Wall-Mart shoppers are human beings many of whom are highly literate citizens of this great nation and registered voters. I haven't found belittling adversaries an effective tool with which to win their support in any cause, ever.
I'm confident at least one of you will reply with a full account of all that's wrong with my line of thought here.
#FactsMatter...your feelings not so much.