So today I had a taste, albeit just a small one, of what the LGBTQ community have to deal with on a daily basis.

I was in town minding my own business when I became aware of a group of very immature teenagers walking behind me.
I will say I was, and hate to say it, dressed in what bigots have classed as ‘stereotypical lesbian’ attire. Plaid shirt, jeans, extremely short hair, tattoos and piercings etc.
It soon became clear that the group were talking and giggling about me.
As I turned around to give them ‘the look’, the lead bitch in the group right out asked me ‘are you a lesbian?!

My brain went… WTF!!!

Without missing a beat I simply replied, ‘why, are you interested?’

I’ve never seen anyone turn that shade of red so quickly and disappear as fast in my life.
Her friends were very amused.

As satisfied as I was with the outcome of this little meeting, it begs the question…
Why the fuck did she think she could ask anyone that question?
It’s nobody’s business what anybody’s sexuality is.
Do we go around asking people if they are heterosexual?

No we don’t.

It’s not surprising really when we have the likes of Donald Trump, who is unfortunately one of the most powerful men on the planet, addressing an anti-lesbian, gay, bi and trans conference.
After repeatedly claiming to be pro-LGBT during his election campaign, President Trump has continuously shown a disregard for the protection and rights of LGBT people.

After joining the group ‘Come Out for LGBT’ my Twitter feed is filled with headlines like…

‘More than two in five trans people, avoid certain streets because they don’t feel safe’

‘One in five LGBT people have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity in the last twelve months.

‘Four in five anti-LGBT hate crimes and incidents go unreported, with younger LGBT people particularly reluctant to go to the police.

I want to cry.
Why can’t people just be left alone to be who they want to be and love who they want to love.
Why are some in other countries imprisoned or even put to death simply because of who they love or how they want to live.

The fact that some couples can’t even hold their partner’s hand in public for fear of repercussions makes my heart bleed.

I really can’t understand it.
It’s not a difficult concept.
It shouldn’t be debated or voted on.
It should just be accepted.
The world would be a much happier place.