We find ourselves with a new President of the United States, for better or for worse. I debated on writing about it or just leaving it be. With such vitriol during the past two years and the promises of the Republican candidates to roll back LGBT rights and protections, I thought to give some suggestions and a bit of advice.
You see, I grew up in the Conservative Christian vitriol, hearing death threats and anti-gay rhetoric as a child from adults. What I learned early on, as I have previously stated in old ‘Wertfrei Wednesday’ articles, is this:
- Keep your mouth shut, at all times. Especially if you are in danger of getting killed, shot or left for dead. Christians, rednecks and haters will not hesitate to kill you.
- Stick up for yourself–even if you carry mace, pepper spray or raid. Spray and run. Running is better than being dead.
- Grow some thick skin. Since there is a bully in the whitehouse with a new sidekick that is anti-gay, you’re going to hear some rhetoric that will frighten you. Grow up and learn to ignore.
- Never leave yourself vulnerable. Have a car? Learn basic maintenance: change a tire, check the oil, wiper fluid, power steering, power brake fluids. You’re gay, not helpless. I could change a tire in 15 minutes.
- Try to never walk alone at night. Stick to the street lights, crowded sidewalks or areas, be sure people could hear you scream (hopefully not ‘put down the video and help me!).
- Learn to differentiate between stalkers. Those that are interested in you and those that want to kill you. I had many stalkers in the Midwest, thankfully they were just crazy sexual wannabe deviants and not killers.
- Have people that would be concerned about you if you disappeared suddenly. Seriously, if no one hears from you in X days, have them call the police.
There are still people out there that care for you, that care whether or not you live or die and want to see you have the same rights as anyone else. I’ve lived through this before and I will again. So will you.
You Matter.
Brick ONeil 