Tonight, as I left the shopping centre I passed a family. The father caught a glimpse of me – I must have look a sight: rainbow leggings, bright green riding jacket, helmet on already. I dashed past and allowed them enough of my attention to catch Father giving Son the eye and nodding in my direction – a look of disbelief on his face... "what a freak".
Son, turning to what I can only assume was little sister and not daughter (but you can never tell in these parts) and said so clearly within my earshot:
“See Millie… that’s how you get bashed”
All the way home, furious, I screamed retorts in my mind and watched my words blow him apart…
“See Millie… That’s a boy with a small penis.”
“That’s right Millie, never dare to be different or people with little minds will try to hurt you”
“That’s right Millie, the world punishes those who expresses who they are. You should always conform… ALWAYS”
What is this pocket of the world I live in? I want to be seen on dark roads for Fuck’s sake. And even if I did want to dress like this every day… what is it to you? Do my brightly coloured socks offend you? Challenge you? Blow your mind?
Try opening your mind, asshole.
