Replacing Shackles Of Oppression With Uncomfortableness

(I am straight, but am also an LGBT+ ally. I went to a pride event a few months ago and had to wear a wristband to get into some of the venues. The design makes it difficult to take off, so through sheer laziness and the fact I actually like wearing it, I haven’t removed it yet. It is the first warm day this year and I decide to wear a short-sleeved shirt to work. A manager who is also a friend notices it.)

Friend: “Really? You’re still wearing that?!”

Me: “Oh, yeah. I can’t be bothered with the hassle of taking it off.”

Friend: “You should. It gives off the wrong impression.”

Me: “I don’t care about that.”

Friend: “No, but everyone else does! It makes them uncomfortable.”

Me: “Really? This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

Friend: “Like I said, it’s making them uncomfortable, but enough is enough.”

(Thinking that he was just being honest I decided to take it seriously and managed to remove the wristband that night with only a small amount of damage. When I went in the next day I was surprised by how many people noticed it missing, and some were even disheartened by it. I told them what my friend told me and none reflected his opinion. One coworker even said she was inspired by how proudly I wore it, and it made her more comfortable being open at work. My friend didn’t even notice. That night I attached some velcro to it haven’t taken it off since. My friend always remarks on it when he does notice, still going on about the impression it gives off, although after confronting him about his claims he admitted it makes him uncomfortable as opposed to everyone. I don’t bother to be around him now unless it’s work related.)