This is painful. Am in tears. One thing I do. Should not have to do but it is still you are a built a certain way and the position is ‘how can you not understand that this HAS to happen to you?’. What I do from the get go is to behave in such a way that it will hopefully never cross your mind to act. You will think twice. Does this mean I am myself? No. I put on a persona. I should be able to be warm and fuzzy like everyone else, go where I choose and be with everyone else at social events but inevitability, my just standing there being myself will lead to disrespect of the grossest and worst kind. Welcome to the prisonhood of womanhood.
You have been far more courageous than I. I just try my darnedest not to even give it the opportunity to happen. When the reason is ‘it’s the way you smile’ (this from a male relation trying to help me understand), then there is ‘that woman who never smiles, harsh, toxic’.
Beating heads on the wall but courage now to be taken. They cannot keep getting away with. I should be able to be free and me. Thank you.