A gay man was threatened for wanting to paint his home like a rainbow. He did it anyway. – USA TODAY
A hairstylist who specializes in rainbow colors wanted to add the colorful hues to another canvas at the disapproval of some of his neighbors — his home.
Mykey O’Halloran purchased a beach home in Australia’s Phillips Island after saving up enough money, the Washington Post reported. When it was time to add the finishing touches to the beige home, rainbow colors were the idea that stuck.
The cheeky idea got some pushback from neighbors.
In a March 16 Facebook post, O’Halloran, who is gay, said he heard someone banging at his door. Five men approached him about his plan to paint his house rainbow.
O’Halloran posted he heard the men shout homophobic slurs and heard one man say he would kill O’Halloran if he continued with his idea.
A police report was filed and a 23-year-old man was later charged with unlawful assault and making threats to kill, according to the Star Observer.
With no plans to stop his painting project, O’Halloran’s now-viral social media post garnered volunteers to help him.
“I am a good person in society, and I bring joy with rainbows, and no opinionated homophobic that’s opposed to the decision of how I want to live my life is going to take that away from me. This house will be rainbow, and it will be rainbow with pride,” O’Halloran said in the post.
With an army of 100 volunteers, O’Halloran’s home siding, deck and fence were painted on April 18. The group included police officers, home renovators and children, according to the Washington Post.
It took seven hours to paint the stripes of orange, pink, purple, blue, green and yellow. Dulux, Australia’s largest paint supplier, donated the project, according to Out Traveler.
“The positive response filled my heart with love and made me feel supported and not alone,” O’Halloran told the Washington Post. “People were dropping by to shake my hand, say hello and welcome me to the neighborhood.”
Hundreds also raised around $7,750 through a fundraiser O’Halloran organized to benefit the Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre, a non-profit group providing recreational, educational and welfare services to reflect the needs of all age groups.
With colorful hair to match, O’Halloran told the Washington Post he “couldn’t contain his delight when the last bright coat of paint had dried.”
“My message now is don’t let anyone else dull your sparkle, and always stay true to yourself.”
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Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com.