No Pride

One of the most difficult things about writing for, "No Pride", is the amount of bullying, harassment, and discrimination I have to revisit. First, there's the direct. Second, there's the indirect. Third, there is all the internal aftershock like pings I feel when talking about my experience with being openly gay. I've never been afforded a "safe space". I've lived my entire life in areas largely known to be openly and proudly homophobic. As far as direct effects, I'd have to count all the times I've been called a homophobic slur. All the times I've been told to move or get out of town. All the times I've been threatened with physical violence. All the times I've been made to feel uncomfortable in the workplace, with sexual comments, innuendoes, or jokes made at my expense. I've come to understand, I'll always be the odd man out. It doesn't make things better, though. Being pointed out for being gay ...

Recently, a local news article about an apartment maintenance superintendent's alleged sexual assault was posted and shared throughout the local community on Facebook. The article itself is borderline fear mongering and overly detailed because it involves a man sexually assaulting boys. The article itself isn't the only issue. The amount of incredibly hate-filled and violent responses posted in the comment section are too many to count. The comments below are unedited. Some comments include detailed descriptions of graphic violence, inhumane treatment, and torture. ***Trigger Warning*** - Headline should read " Local Child Predator Found Dead In Ditch". End of story. - They need to take him out in the woods! Strip him, nail his nutsack to a stump & pour syrup around them& watch the ants come running! - Somebody that does something like this there is no cure for them they are sick in the head might as well take him around back and s...