This reminds me of something that happened to me back in college. I had a part-time job that was pretty physical, shitty, and a bit stereotypically masculine. I also live in a pretty red state. We had a new guy, working like his second day. Was doing okay, seemed like he'd hack it. We were making usual getting-to-know-each-other chitchat, and were talking about music. I mentioned one of my favorite bands, and he seemed to kinda... lose his armor about it from excitement and blurts out "My partner loves them too, he's been to a bunch of their shows!" And then, I think he realized what he said, and his eyes went a bit wide, and he hastily changed the subject. After that day, he didn't show up again.

I've always felt really bad about it and can't help but wonder why he didn't show up again... I'm a straight guy, but I don't give a shit, and I certainly didn't or wouldn't treat him any differently... It's possible that he got a taste of the work and decided the pay wasn't worth it. He wouldn't be the first, or the fifth, that I saw in my time there. But that moment really stuck out. I sometimes wish I could go back and say, I don't know, something more supportive. I just didn't think making a big thing of it would've helped.