When Straight People Attack

A few months ago I was invited to a friend's house for a mini-vacation. It was a wonderful breath of fresh air. I was introduced to a group of friends of my friend. During the conversations I typically drop some line about being gay. My friend asked me, "Why do gay people have to say they are 'gay'?" I have learned through the years that it really is a self-defence method. "To prevent misinterpretations and to ensure it is well established fact." My friend didn't quite understand but it really is about establishing that I'm not in the "straight" market or available.

A female friend of a friend was walking by and I said "hello" and pleasantly had a talk about things in general like the weather and gardening. A week or so after this conversation, my friend told me his friend thought I was flirting with her. My jaw dropped in amazement of what I was hearing. Can't a gay man be pleasant in the gay neighbourhood to a straight person without it being interpreted as flirting? I guess not. I should have some sorta sticker that says, "gay". Several straight neighbours have said they thought I was straight when they met me at first. It's a curse in disguise.

Originally I had moved to my neighbourhood thinking I was in the gay area and I should be safe. It has been anything but safe. A number of years ago a woman that does not live here started participating in the community. I'm all about gardening and this individual approached me about gardening. It was rather intense gardening stuff and interaction which was a bit "clingy" but I'm into the gardening thing so it was cool with me. All-of-a-sudden this individual turned mean, very mean. What I now realize is that this individual had "ear-marked" me as a "boy-toy". Once someone had informed this individual that I'm gay and have a boyfriend, I was not available for what they wanted and was declared "the enemy". I had no clue what was going on or why this woman became so mean so tried to avoid any contact. From this point forward I was a target. This individual did aquire another tenant for the purposes that they set-out for who was then recruited for mob bullying. I was not made aware when I moved to my current residence that I'd be subject to sexual predation. When this individual became the landlord, it became the most unpleasant intense mob bullying scene a nice gay guy should endure.

I'm not surprised the current mob bullying group are comprised of mostly straight people in a position of power. They've all been led to believe something different from the truth. I was previously made out to be someone completely different than I am. I'm a pleasant, helpful, thoughtful, respectful, honest person that has been discriminated for being gay. Considering I live in a gay neighbourhood, it isn't much of a surprise there is little to no recognition of the gay pride parade or anything gay. It's like a straight world in the middle of the gay ghetto. I respect and appreciate the straight people I have as neighbours and friends that are respectful to me.

Maybe I should just wear a rainbow feather boa to be clear from now on.