Sam Johnson, CEO of a Tennessee telemedicine company VisuWell, was caught on camera allegedly harassing a teenage boy who wore a dress to prom on Saturday night, saying that the boy looked like an “idiot.”
via NYDN:
On Monday, 18-year-old high school senior Dalton Stevens told NBC News that he chose to wear a dress to his suburban Nashville school prom to prove that “clothing is really genderless” and “that it has no meaning.”
According to Stevens, he was taking pictures with his boyfriend Jacob Geitmann when the couple noticed that a man was being “homophobic.” Johnson then approached the two and questioned why Stevens was wearing a dress.
“I think I look good in it and that I really like the dress and I want to show that clothing is genderless,” Stevens responded. “And I explained that to him and he continued to just call me names and just follow me.”
Along with questioning the dress, Johnson allegedly said to Stevens that he has “hair on your chest, you shouldn’t be wearing a dress.”
During the confrontation, Geitmann took out his phone and began recording the encounter. During the clash Johnson was asked if he thought that Stevens looked “disgusting” to which he responded that he does.
As the recording continues, Johnson notices and then attempts to smack the phone out of Getimann’s hand but accidentally hit Stevens.
Franklin Police officers responded to the hotel where he “denied any involvement in a confrontation,” according to Franklin Police Lt. Charles Warner. Officers then asked the man to pay his check at the hotel restaurant and leave per hotel management.
Warner also added that police aren’t investigating the incident as no one but hotel management called the police but if the couple “would like to pursue this matter further, the Department will investigate and assist them with all applicable steps.
Johnson has denied all the allegations levied against him.
“We had just sat down for dinner at this restaurant that we frequent, and I was returning from the restroom when I was presented with their loud cursing,” Johnson said to Newsweek. “Making it about the dress was their idea and they edited out most of the exchange.”
We’re willing to bet the teens are the ones telling the truth here. Sam Johnson is a disgrace to VisuWell and the board should let him go.
