On February 12 Wes King took to Instagram Threads to joke about how Seattle is seen as a progressive city, rather than a "horrible place" that looks away from issues like substance use disorder and homelessness. Artist Devon Little called him a "fag" and a "whiny bitch" in response, after which King posted on social media and confronted Little in person, leading to private security being hired to ensure Little's safety at her upcoming show at Base Camp Studios, which King also contacted.

"I was shocked, disturbed, and hurt by [the words], but it validated everything I felt about Seattle's Queer scene and culture in general," King told the SGN.

King said he moved from Virginia to Seattle about two and a half years ago and attends Shoreline Community College as a digital film production major. King said he frequently posts to Threads and jokes about Seattle, and that he's been called the F-slur in the more conservative area of the country where he grew up.

Apology
Little posted an apology on Instagram and noted how "fag" has been used in the LGBTQ+ community as a term of endearment and a reclaimed word, and acknowledged how that language holds different meanings for some.

A Seattle resident of 18 years and an artist deeply engaged in the Queer community, Little told the SGN that she takes full accountability for her actions and that she's even deleted her Threads account entirely.

"I acknowledge that I used charged language toward someone I did not know and later posted about them indirectly... Understanding the weight that words carry — especially in online spaces — I publicly apologized and sought to demonstrate my commitment to growth," Little said.

As part of this commitment, Little, who is a Transgender woman and a resident artist at Base Camp Studios (BCS), held an open studio during the most recent Belltown Art Walk. She invited people to share concerns with her directly.

"I listened to those who expressed their feelings and sincerely appreciated the opportunity to learn from them," Little said. "During that event, Wes King entered my studio and took his phone to begin recording, making unsubstantiated claims about me. I would have welcomed the chance to engage in an open and honest dialogue with him, but it became clear that his intention was not discussion but confrontation."

Confrontation on video
King's video shows him standing near where Little is sitting by her art, and he says she called him the F-slur three times and that he has an issue with her referring to it as a term of endearment. Little asks King to leave, and King raises his voice, asking if she has anything to say about that.

Little continues sitting in the chair, visibly uncomfortable, and keeps asking King to leave. There is a back-and-forth, and it isn't until Little says she will call the police that King turns and is ushered out. At the end of the 43-second video, King claims Little is a homophobic bigot.

"It made my blood boil that she's sitting there claiming it's endearment," King said. "She didn't care that I was there. She just wanted me to leave. She didn't care what her words did to me... She just cared I was there in her studio space, and she wanted me gone. The effect of her words didn't matter to her."

King said that if Little's apology was directed at him, he would have dropped this, as he is a forgiving person, he added.

"So much has been done wrong to me," King said, adding how he's attempted to engage in further dialogue with BCS and its sponsor, Shunpike.

BCS owner speaks out
Nick Federer, founder of BCS, said he is perplexed by this situation, and that BCS does not at all condone the use of the slur. He said he received dozens of messages that felt very inflamed, and he said he could understand the concern but that it was very accusatory.

Federer said he's had to block numerous people online since the situation escalated following the apology, and noted that King claimed on social media that BCS was homophobic and covering up for Little.

"We are very LGBTQIA+ pro," Federer told the SGN. "We have at least three Trans artists. I want to say we're like 50% LGBTQ+, Nonbinary — we welcome all."

Little has been involved with BCS for a year and a half. When things blew up on social media, she reached out to Federer to explain the situation and to apologize for BCS being dragged in to it.

Federer suggested using less strong-armed language with strangers on the internet, and Little said it was a learning opportunity for her.

Little issued the apology, and blocked King on Instagram due to repeated harassment, according to Federer.

Feeling unsafe
"I have received a significant number of online attacks, including calls to sabotage my work, harassing messages from people outside of Seattle, and personal threats," Little said.

She said that King has posted about her over 75 times on social media, urging others to target her and her artistic endeavors. King told the SGN that he's been mass-reported and that Instagram, Threads, and TikTok removed several posts, but that he has appealed each time.

"This has created an environment where I no longer feel safe in my own workspace. Due to these escalating actions, I have begun seeking legal protection," Little said. "I want to emphasize that, as a Queer/Transgender person, I have used the F-slur in a reclaimed and colloquial manner within my community. However, I recognize that this does not translate to every space, and I regret that my language caused harm."

Little said she has taken this criticism to heart and is focused on continuing to learn from this experience and ensuring that her actions reflect the respect and inclusivity she strives to embody.

Solo exhibit
Little's opening day for her debut solo art show, "Midnight Mass," is April 5 at BCS. Some of Little's "Midnight Mass" pieces are available for viewing on her Instagram account, and include large acrylic and oil paintings on canvas. Her black backdrops provide a stark contrast to her subjects.

"I think that Devon has a very unique viewpoint, and her art is not for everybody. I would describe it as a bit morbid and gothic," Federer said.

"My work has always been about celebrating Queer identity, resilience, and the reclamation of symbols that have historically been used to oppress us," Little said. "I remain committed to creating art that speaks to our shared experiences and offers space for reflection, dialogue, and healing."

Little said "Midnight Mass" is a labor of love dedicated to the Queer community, and invites those who wish to engage in meaningful dialogue to attend.