One Saturday in July, Domenic Riolo noticed a piece of paper wedged between the doors of the Gay Village tattoo parlour where he works.
It had no envelope and no address, so he eventually read the opening line: “Bro, seriously can we take a minute here and ask you a serious question?”
The receptionist realized the anonymous, typed note was meant for him. Through the following seven paragraphs, the writer or writers went on to criticize his body, his teeth and clothing.
“They literally went in on everything that I mentally [list every day] about what I don’t like about myself,” Riolo told host Ken Connors.
The author even suggested Riolo go work elsewhere “or do something about the way you look.” They accused him of tarnishing the reputation of they gay community.
“We can’t be the only ones that think this of you,” the letter continued. “We are sure your friends feel the same way.”
The feigned benevolence continues to the end, with the sign-off, “Sincerely yours, X.”
Domenic Riolo spoke with Ken Connors about his fat-shaming note.
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Riolo says his parents and friends were more shocked than him by the contents of the note, but that he has been flooded by support in person and online.
“So many people [from close by] came to see me, and asked if I was okay, and my only answer was: ‘Yes.’ I wasn’t going to let this bother me.”
Riolo adds he has no idea who wrote the note, but he’s happy to move on.
The full letter that Domenic Rialo received last month while at work. Courtesy: Facebook/Domenic Rialo