I take my lizards out for weekly sunning. When my bp is big enough, I plan to take him out to get the mail and maybe hang outside by the porch now and then. I don't take any of them, including a friendly bearded dragon, to public outings. Not for the reason it would scare people, because my pets' safety comes first and I would care less what anyone think of them.

I also have 2 pitbull mixes at home, so I know firsthand what it is like to hear snark remarks about my dogs, how one of them would attack a customer (My dog passed her Canine Good Citizen ahead of her class) at a local Home Depot where we were welcomed with our dogs, to see owners panic and immediately pick up their small dogs upon seeing us walk by, etc.... I take DOGS who are trained, leashed and well behaved in public, and still get this backlash. Educating the ignorant by bringing an animal society looks down on is like talking to a wall. I had arguments, debates... Or simply, I walk away in silence, that still changes nothing. I find that the responsibility for anyone who wants to be enlightened about reptiles or anything else would fall on themselves. I can't imagine living in fear of something not worth being afraid of.