Jiwandeep Kohli, a “bisexual bearded baking brain scientist” from San Diego, tweeted the turban to celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month.
June is marked as the LGBT Pride Month every year and as the nation celebrates the month with various events and parades. But one Sikh American man chose to show his support and pride by a unique fashion gesture that got the entire country bowled over, including former President Barack Obama.
San Diego-based Jiwandeep Kohli posted a picture of himself on Twitter wearing a stunning rainbow-colored turban, to show pride in his own bisexualality and to extend support to millions of LGBTQs around the world.
Kohli wrote: “I’m proud to be a bisexual bearded baking brain scientist. I feel fortunate to be able to express all these aspects of my identity, and will continue to work toward ensuring the same freedom for others.”
I’m proud to be a bisexual bearded baking brain scientist. I feel fortunate to be able to express all these aspects of my identity, and will continue to work toward ensuring the same freedom for others. #PrideMonth #PrideTurban #LoveIsLove pic.twitter.com/SVhc0iwDF0
— Jiwandeep Kohli (@jiwandeepkohli) June 1, 2019
And Kohli’s efforts did not get unnoticed. As soon as his followers saw the tweet, it went viral gaining widespread accolades. But among all the congratulatory messages that came pouring in, it was a special message that bowled him over. That message was from none other than former President Barack Obama himself. Obama tweeted to Kohli that he has a lot to be proud of and how people like him that make the country more equal.
You've got a lot to be proud of, Jiwandeep. Thanks for everything you do to make this country a little more equal. Turban looks great, by the way. Happy Pride Month, everybody! https://t.co/SO7mgnOkgl
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 4, 2019
Kohli’s tweet has already been liked more than 123,000 times by 10 am EDT, Wednesday. Kohli, a passionate baker, responded to the former president saying: “I’m a fairly verbose person, but today I am lost for words. Thank you for your support and the complement, Mr. Obama. If I can ever repay them with pastries, please let me know!”
Kohli is also a graduate student in clinical psychology. The turban that got the country fawning was actually worn by him to San Diego Pride Parade last month.
He has in the past also been a contestant on “The Great American Baking Show.” His lovely gesture of using his turban — a religious article of Sikh faith associated with Sikh pride — has really won over many hearts. The fact that the rainbow-hued turban strategically tied looked dapper only added to its appeal!
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