They took something that I used to identify my innocents with and turned it into evil, to which I was innocent, the rumor mill destroyed my reputation

My dear, people who have nothing to hide, hide nothing, and you have nothing to hide nor be ashamed of. Innocent people like yourself, never need to explain themselves. The flaw and error is with the gossiper. Don't give power to the evil. They don't deserve it, nor our attention. We don't give credit where credit is not due. People like this can only take away our power if we give it away. That's something we won't allow in our lives. Nor do we give it permission to stay in our lives. We're not going that way. Pray for that person, but stay away from them and move on. God knows who you are and he thinks you're special and enough, which you are. That's all that matters. Live in that truth. Your reputation is not ruined. It just made the person who's a gossiper looks stupid. People know who you are and if they don't, you don't need them.

Proverbs 19:9 - A false witness shall be punished, and a liar shall be caught.

The only thing you can do is keep being you. Know what and who you are. "Those who matter don't mind, those who mind don't matter"

It really depends on what’s going to be achieved by making a big deal about it.

Innocents or innocence?