WASHINGTON — The talk inside the Transformations by Consuella salon was all about Jusse Smollett and his claims he was attacked by two men in Chicago.
“Something isn’t right about it, I don't know” said the client sitting in the chair. “He just needs to come out and tell the truth,” added Consuella Lopez, “you shouldn't use a hate crime especially when you're part of the LGBT community because you don't want your own community side eyeing you.”
An accomplished stylist and transgender activist, Consuella Lopez herself was a victim of a hate crime in Dupont Circle back in the 1990's before she transitioned.
“One of the guys was like ‘where's the party’ and I was like 'what?' and next thing I know a bottle was broken over my head, I took cover and I didn't fight back...I curled up in the fetal position and they just beat me for like 15 or 20 seconds," Lopez said. "That's why I think using that story is so hurtful toward our community because people are going to be like that didn't happen that didn't happen when the reality it’s happening every single day.”
“If he were to fess up and tell the truth people would be more lenient with him…he's human he made a mistake…but you don't have to throw his whole career away.”
The women said Smollett should apologize to the LGBT and Black communities; with that, they believe he can redeem himself. But for now, their fear is that real victims of hate crimes may not be believed if Smollett’s story proves to be false.