ATLANTA — On late-night weekends at a lesbian bar in Midtown, a friendly voice is heard checking people in and keeping order.
That voice is Jill Bennett, head security at My Sister's Room, one of few remaining lesbian bars in the United States.
"It's awesome. To be in the field that I am and be a woman, especially at the lesbian bar," Bennett said.
During the day, she works as a physical education teacher at Elkins Pointe Middle School, inspiring new generations to be themselves inside the classroom.
"The kids do keep me coming back," Bennett said. "They just have really good personalities that I love."
She looks to be a listening ear in the classroom.
"I just want to be an example to people. You can be who you are," she said. "I can provide them with a space that they can feel comfortable in a space where they can be themselves."
It also comes during a time when teachers are coming under fire in states like Georgia for promoting inclusive ideals like LGBTQ identities. Recently a Cobb County teacher was fired for reading a book called "My Shadow Is Purple," which discusses gender identity. Her lesson was challenged by concerned parents, which triggered the state law that places restrictions on how grade school teachers can discuss race and other topics in the classroom.
But back at her night job, it's the kindness that Bennett shares with others that leaves such a long-lasting impression, and when you asked about her drive to bring warmth to others, she said it comes from the same place of wanting others to feel comfortable.
"I don't want it to be like other places where they're intimidated by the security guards," she said.
The educator and head security of MSR said much of her kindness in life has been influenced by her upbringing. She coins her mom as the "sweetest person in the world," which has been a driving force behind her treating everyone as equal.
Bennett looks to be a friend to anyone; everywhere she goes, all you have to do is say, "Hello."
"I'm very genuine when I'm at My Sister's Room or as an educator or it's just who I am," she said. "No matter what your sexual orientation is or even race, pride is the time where everybody can come together and be a whole. And the camaraderie that goes along with that is just amazing."
