Straight man uses rainbow duct tape to celebrate Pride in rural Oklahoma town

An Oklahoma-native drew praise online after a Facebook post featuring a picture of his truck and a DIY rainbow flag made the rounds online.

Cody Barlow lives in a “rural area in Oklahoma” called Hubert (population, 590) and he decided to support pride month by making a rainbow flag and sticking it on the bumper of his truck.

Barlow took to Facebook and wrote: “Found a way to show my support for pride month.”

He went on: “I simply bought rolls of brightly colored [sic] duct tape and ran them across my tailgate in the design of the pride flag, and added some mailbox letters.

This is important to me, not only because I have family and friends that are LGBTQ+, but also because countless people have dealt with hatred and judgement simply for who they are, and/or who they love, for far too long. Obviously doing this isn't going to change the minds of those who are intolerant, but hopefully it can help drown out the hatred with love.

I live in a rural area in Oklahoma, surrounded by small towns in every direction, and I'm sure this is not a very welcome message around here, but this is going to be displayed on my truck for the entire month of June in support of pride month.

I don't think it is necessary to say, but for all intents and purposes I am a straight man that grew up here in Oklahoma. I love taking my truck mudding, going fishing, swimming at the lake, floating the river, and several other "country" activities.

It doesn't matter what negativity I receive for supporting this. I hope that this can help even the slightest bit to encourage and support at least one person that needs it.

I hope everyone finds their inner strength to finally live life loud and proud without regard for the negativity of ignorant people.

Happy pride month!

Barlow’s post went down will with the internet community, and it was shared 73,000 times so far, with people praising him for his ally-ship.

“Well done Cody its [sic] people like you who can change the way people think.” Another Facebook user added: “This means a lot to so many! Thanks for sending a message of love and acceptance to rural Oklahoma and now the world!”

Ron Tavernier wrote:

Thanks, from an over-educated redneck” and Nicole Ceranna, from Denver, praised him too, “Nicole Ceranna I just came across this post and I am in tears. The world needs more people like YOU. Thank you so much for being an LGBTQ ally and just a KIND person. Sending you lots of love from Denver ❤️❤️❤️

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