Jan 6
Viral Video Captures Harassment of Gay Creator in Men's Bathroom on New Year's Eve
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
A video posted on New Year's Day to TikTok and Instagram captured 22-year-old gay content creator Zachary Willmore being confronted by an apparently intoxicated man in a public men's bathroom on New Year's Eve. In the footage, the man questions Willmore's presence in the men's restroom, criticizing his jewelry and clothing as too feminine and suggesting he use the women's bathroom instead. Willmore, who identifies as cisgender male, responds calmly, noting he chose a stall to avoid conflict, but the harassment persists.
The video rapidly gained traction across social media platforms, amassing views and comments from users expressing solidarity with Willmore. Social media users identified the harasser as Jaxon Terill, who later posted online acknowledging his actions were wrong and claiming he had apologized directly to Willmore. Willmore has not publicly confirmed receiving a formal apology in follow-up posts, though he continued sharing content about resilience and stigma shortly after the incident.
Willmore, based in Missouri, has built a following as a digital creator documenting his life, including his experience living with HIV and promoting visibility for gay men. His advocacy emphasizes acceptance and challenges stigma within and beyond the LGBTQ+ community. This bathroom confrontation echoes a landmark moment from his high school years: in 2021, Willmore made history as Missouri's first male homecoming queen at Rock Bridge High School. He ran for the title because he appreciated its aesthetic and symbolism, and his peers voted him in, sparking national discussions on gender norms in educational settings. That achievement, while celebrated by many, also led to backlash including online harassment and death threats.
Willmore's choice to enter the men's bathroom aligns with his gender identity, highlighting how assumptions based on appearance can lead to confrontations for cisgender gay men who express femininity. He stated in the video, “I didn’t want any problems,” underscoring his efforts to de-escalate.
This incident occurs amid heightened scrutiny of gendered public spaces. Multiple U.S. states have passed laws restricting bathroom access for transgender people, which advocates from organizations like the Human Rights Campaign argue foster a climate where individuals police others' appearances regardless of identity. Civil rights groups, including GLAAD, note that such confrontations target not only transgender people but anyone defying rigid masculinity or femininity norms, including gay men and nonbinary individuals.
Lambda Legal has documented similar cases where gender expression leads to harassment in restrooms, emphasizing that these spaces should be safe for all based on identity, not policing by bystanders. The TransVitae report stresses that Willmore's experience illustrates how visibility for LGBTQ+ creators does not guarantee safety in routine settings like public restrooms.
Online reactions to Willmore's video have been overwhelmingly supportive, with commenters condemning the harassment and praising his composure. Followers have engaged with his posts on HIV stigma and resilience, amplifying his message. Advocacy groups like the Trevor Project highlight how such incidents contribute to mental health challenges for LGBTQ+ youth, calling for education on gender diversity.
Willmore's story reinforces the need for inclusive policies protecting all LGBTQ+ people from appearance-based discrimination in public facilities. As debates continue, his viral moment serves as a call for greater understanding and safety.
