Recently I was offered a play by play job in Wyoming that I ended up turning down. Ultimately the job wasn’t the right fit for me, but one of the reasons I turned it down was because my first thought upon getting the offer was, “Wyoming’s where they killed Matthew Shepard.”

Anytime I get a job interview, sports or no, I take the pride flag out of my social media bios. I go on private—not to hide my opinions, but who I am. There are still few sports organizations that are willing to hire women—fewer still gay women.

In February an owner told me he was hesitant of hiring me for a great play by play job because of “fear I’d fraternize with the male players.” I didn’t know whether or not saying that wouldn’t be an issue would end up being a bigger issue, so I said nothing.

I say these things because earlier this week, longtime Cincinnati Reds play by play voice Thom Brennaman used the F slur on live TV, during a broadcast. Mid home run call he apologized, but just to the “people who write his checks” but not, notably, to the LGBT+ community.

“Why is it such a big deal? He made a mistake.” Here’s why: there aren’t many spots in male-dominated industries like sports for women. Fewer for gay and trans folks. Even fewer for people of color. But there are so, exceptionally many for straight, white men like Thom Brennaman.

I’m hopeful that one day I—and everyone else—will be able to live freely and openly and take any job anywhere in this country without having to wonder if who they are or what that look like will impact their safety and their ability to get said job. But that day? It’s not today.