Walking from work to a nearby bus stop last week, I was confronted by 3 young men. One threw himself into my face and screamed "Faggot!" As they passed me and headed down the street, I heard "Bitch! Fucking Faggot!" I wondered why I let this happen. How I could allow them to violate me, to crush me. I felt so defenseless, so worthless. It is amazing how someone's words can degrade me so much. I wanted to stand up to them and scream about their ignorance, but I didn't, simply because I did not feel safe. I remember being told that if I would just be myself and not instigate fights, then I should feel safe.

All I was doing was waiting for a bus. So what if I'm Queer?