Sometimes I forget that in the eyes of society, I am a woman first and foremost and a person second. All of the interactions I have with people of the opposite sex have the ability and the obligation to turn sexual. Because I am a woman first and foremost. I am used for sex, and all conversations, compliments, favors and the like are all steps leading up to obtaining The Sex from me. Because I owe you that at least for your paying attention to me, because why the hell else would anyone talk to a woman? The things woman say are stupid, they don't understand the manly nuances of real life like you do. They must have sex bartered, coerced, forced, tricked out of them.
I am a person. A person with thoughts and feelings and opinions. In a room full of men, I'm going to stick out, because I look different than everyone else. But it shouldn't matter. Because I am a person. I will listen to your thoughts and feelings and opinions. Not out of a desire for The Sex, but because I want to be your friend. Person-to-person, eye-to-eye, irrespective of gender lines. And I deserve that.
I hate having the barriers up constantly, feeling like I have to cover my own ass, feeling like I deserved it. I am not 'asking for it' I am simply existing as a person out in the world. I'm not asking you for anything but respect. I shouldn't have to fear all the people I come into contact with lest they think I owe them sex in exchange for basic human decency.
Seriously, fuck that.
Well said!
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