If you've not seen this already, you should do so.

[compilerbitch]

I'm leaving this as a public post because I want people to see this. For reference, that could very easily have been me, many times at school, and once, on a train from London to Oxford in 1997. I survived. This is a reminder that not everyone is so lucky.

Comments

[void150.livejournal.com]

I saw that story in the paper recently, very sad stuff.

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

It's so awful that still goes on; it's supposed to have been gotten rid of decades ago. (Yeah, I know, society never really changes that fast, and we're caught in backlash instead of continued progress.)

And I don't understand the motives at all. So weird. I can't comprehend feeling threatened to the point of murder by somebody gay being interested in me (and I'm as straight as it gets, Kinsey 0). People who do feel threatened should get help, or just suck it up and deal. Assaulting/murdering people over this is right out.

(While armed self-defense is by no means the only or best solution to this problem, I *do* enjoy watching conservative self-defense advocates who admit they are somewhat homophobic gritting their teeth and being not just polite but *supportive* to the Pink Pistols.)

[compilerbitch.livejournal.com]

I'm conscious that one of my biggest health risks, personally, is actually murder. As a consequence of this, I am a little more conscious of my environment than most people, I think, and I tend to avoid places and people that are a greater risk. Nevertheless, I take pains not to hide under rocks, and I do have a pretty decent social life, so it's not really getting too much in the way of anything important to be honest.

I do study ninjutsu, mind you. I'm also looking forward to doing an Impact seminar soon too. I'm actually about as nonviolent as you can get, personally, but I'm determined not to be an easy target in future. As my sensei says, if push comes to shove, fight like a badger. They might not have big teeth, but they are sharp, and they are mean little buggers.

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

Yah, situational awareness comes at the top of any sane list of things that help you against that kind of threat.

I have little to no use for real full-blown pacifism, and LOTS of use for people who resort to violence only when pushed to it. And especially for the ones who then do it right :-).

I'm afraid I *do* gloat a little when I hear of an attacker injured or killed by their intended victim; extra points if it's a hate-crime scenario.

[substitute.livejournal.com]

What the hell kind of parents produce an 8th grade murderer?

[compilerbitch.livejournal.com]

I came close at that age myself (of being murdered, that is). I think, had I grown up in the US, given the greater access to deadly weapons, I probably wouldn't have survived school. As it was, I think I was basically just lucky -- there were quite a few close calls (being strangled, being stoned by a gang (with stones, not drugs)), so someone having access to a gun would have been the end of it for me, I think.

[pinguhateseng.livejournal.com]

Scary and disgusting, sadly I'm in the kind of country where is *certainly* could happen.

What worries me is that you say this could have happened to you: really? Even in 1997? Crumbs, the world is nasty.

[compilerbitch.livejournal.com]

Yes, I was attacked on a train from London to Oxford by two men. It was motivated by homo/transphobia. I was very lucky to survive -- I'd called the police, and they were waiting on the platform at Reading when the train pulled in. The police physically pulled them off me.

[omnisppot.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's time I introduced myself :) I'm simon. I've been stalking your journal for a while since a mutual friend recommended you as a good source of quality photography posts.
I responded to your recent poll and only ticked the 'photography-related posts' box, as we'd never met and I didn't want to pry on any of yuor personal posts. But please also add me to your gender and sexuality related ones too, if you don't mind, as these are subjects of interest to me that not many of my riends discuss on lj.

[compilerbitch.livejournal.com]

That's fine, you're very welcome here. There will be new photography posts soon (I did a session at the weekend that's awaiting processing) too, by the way. :-)