The Object of my Unaffection

MONTREAL (CP) - Two lesbians who were assaulted as they kissed on the street returned to the spot a week later Friday, this time surrounded by dozens of other smooching same-sex couples.

Joelle Perras, 26, and Brook Morrison, 29, were walking hand in hand last Friday when they puckered up at a traffic light.

Somebody then hit Morrison in the head from behind, pushing her into Perras, who broke her nose. The man then fled without saying anything.

“Something happens like this, it doesn’t just kind of leave,” said Perras, yellow and purple bruises still visible on her face.

“Here we are, we’re being strong, but it’s scary. When we walk out at night, we look around. We haven’t kissed on the street, we haven’t been ourselves because we are afraid. (source)

I know exactly how they feel. Kent and I never show affection in public either. We used to hold hands and be more of a couple in public. But we were hassled and called “faggots” every time we would do it. We got tired of it and scared that some crazy person would hurt or kill one or both of us.

And this happened when we lived in San Francisco years ago. In Connecticut, who knows what would happen? I know exactly how they feel. It’s a shame really that in such a free country as the United States, many of us live in fear and without freedom. I’ve become used to hiding what I am to the outside world. I am good at it. We go to a restaurant to eat, we play it like we are friends. We never do anything to make others think we might be gay.

And on those rare occasions that we go to a really nice restaurant that is romantic, we do get stares, because we are usually the only two guys sitting at the same table together. I try to enjoy myself, but I can see the eyes on us and the judgment they hold.

This is my world. The world of being gay in a world where it is forbidden. Be yourself, and suffer the consequences.

Yeah, that’s freedom.