If y'all know me, you know that I present androgynously and initially I thought that men on the street would perceive me as a guy and leave me alone but this could not be less true https://twitter.com/dramahmz/status/1264249979578847232

Apart from all the uncomfortable comments I get from groups of high school and primary school boys walking home (leaving uwi around 2-3pm is the WORST) there was one incident that always stands out to me

A few months ago I was walking home by myself from the bus route around 5:30pm or so. I don't usually have any qualms about self defense bc my 5+ years of martial arts gave me some peace of mind

Right before my street on the main road I have to pass by a bar, I always take the precaution of keeping on the opposite side of the road from that bar just in case

So I'm approaching the bar and I hear a lot of noise from a group of (evidently drunk) men. Nothing specific being shouted but still I quickened my pace and kept alert. I'm now passing the bar and I hear them very clearly shouting at me from across the road

I refused to turn my head, I pretended I didnt hear them bc I didn't want any altercation. They were shouting at me asking if I was a girl or a boy, shouting from across the road, at least two or three different voices. I kept my head up and kept walking

There was no one else around for whatever reason except other people in that bar and these grown men were shouting at me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw one of them start crossing the road towards me, still shouting to get my attention.

I wanted to start running but I knew that would just make it worse and aggravated them more so I just continued walking quickly to my street, once I passed this stretch of road I would be safe.

Eventually I passed the bar and the men (thankfully) didnt pursue and went back in the bar but I was, and still am, shaken up. I know what happens to people like me at the hands of men like them. I am grateful that it didnt escalate to more.

That is the memory that plays on repeat in my head anytime a man or a group of boys even look at me on the street bc in my heart I know that at any time I can come across someone who will have enough hatred in them to pursue me and harm me

Funnily enough, even though I'm sure I confuse people w my gender presentation, I never get overt comments like that from women on the street. The one time a girl stopped me on the street was to compliment me.

The only time girls ever looks at me strangely or ask about my gender directly is when I use public restrooms and honestly, I dont fault the for that.

Sorry this thread was so long but I've been thinking about this all day and I needed to get it off my chest w all the things being said on the tl today