Pride-themed turban goes viral online

A clinical psychology graduate student and former contestant on “The Great American Baking Show” incorporated a rainbow into his turban to celebrate Pride Month and created a viral social media post.

“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,” Jiwandeep Kohli tweeted Saturday.

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

{mosads}The post had nearly 28,000 likes on Monday afternoon with hundreds of responses. Kohli, who is Sikh, told BuzzFeed News he saw another Sikh man wearing rainbow colors, representing the gay pride flag, in his turban a few years ago, and he wanted to give it a try. 

“I was looking at that, and I realized the way I tie mine it had the exact right number of layers to make a rainbow,” Kohli said.

He wore the turban last year to San Diego’s Pride Festival, but he shared the photo Sunday.

Twitter users applauded Kohli’s creativity and approach to sharing his identity. 

“That pride turban is the most amazing thing I’ve seen today!” one woman wrote.

That pride turban is the most amazing thing I’ve seen today! ️‍

— Dr. Jennifer Honeycutt ️‍‍ (@ohambiguity) June 1, 2019

“I love your turban!!! Thank you for your awesome message, bravery and efforts!” another woman wrote.

I love your turban!!! Thank for your awesome message, bravery and efforts!

— Dr. Anila Kanchan Madiraju (@DrAnilaMadiraju) June 2, 2019

Kohli told BuzzFeed News he has been “enamored” with the reaction online.

“I’ve been really, really happy to see so much positivity and welcome from so many people,” he said.

But, Kohli cautioned fans of his turban that it’s an important religious tradition he used during Pride Month, not a costume for anyone to wear.

“I wouldn’t want people to have the impression that I’m just wearing it as an accessory,” Kohli said. “A turban is a sign to the world that you’re a person the world can turn to for help.”