Everyone is judged. No matter who they are or what they do with their lives, someone somewhere makes assumptions about them based on appearances. Peter, the focus of Mark Doty's poem “Tiara,” was a transvestite. Being outside the “social norm” made Peter an easy target for bullying and judgement. It wasn't normal in the slightest, but no one really is. However, society expects people to conform to this idea of ​​what people should really be. No one honestly fits that mold, especially not Peter. People could never get over the fact that he was different. He was constantly ridiculed and made fun of. His only escape from all of this was death, as sad as that was. His life had to end just so he could be happy. Death brings with it a place of acceptance, something Peter has never experienced before. The speaker, a spectator at Peter's funeral, hears the derogatory comments that continue to be hurled at the deceased. People said that Peter deserved to die and that he asked for it. The newspaper voice then points out that an afterlife of acceptance is better than a life as an outsider. The theme of Mark Doty's "Tiara" is that death is an escape from the judgment of people on Earth. Even in death, Peter cannot escape ridicule. At a time when everyone should be celebrating his life and mourning his death, they continue to mock Peter. It's still the punchline of cruel jokes. At one point, a funeral attendee speculates that the reason the coffin is closed is because "she was there in a big wig and heels" (Doty 12/11). Peter was being judged at his own funeral. This is pathetic. No one should have to put up with it, but Peter did. This poor individual was told that he “asked for it” (Doty 16). “It” refers to death. It was just… middle of the card… death, ends with happiness. Peter being judged at his own funeral is heartbreaking, but there is a silver lining. He can no longer feel their hatred. He is already long gone at his funeral. He's in heaven. Hate can no longer hurt him. The speaker wonders why humans would prefer a hard life over an easy afterlife. In his poem, Doty demonstrates that death is an escape from judgment, but he does not say that death is the answer. He's saying that fanaticism is causing these suicides or these people hoping for death. Stopping hate will allow more people to live free and be individuals. They would no longer have to conform to society's mold. When the Earth reflects the morality and acceptance of this mentioned “heaven”, then people can be truly free. Peter is now free to be happy. His new life is an opportunity to start over and be himself without fear of judgment or expectations.