@MelissaBearTrix

I’m concerned for everyone else’s safety but not so much my own. I do get concerned about the consequences for my family and friends if I was to get hurt.

I’m sure the fact that I’m a large white cis man contributes. I think my form of ADHD contributes more. In a crisis I get calmer and more focused.

I used to love the deep wide area focus I experienced flying hang gliders years ago, especially when taking off and landing.

https://makertube.net/w/7FAqjjSoHqDZM45799T4ez

@MelissaBearTrix I am a cis white male who knows how absolutely bonkers the world is, particularly other cis white males.

I appreciate how much worse it is for people who aren't in my situation too.

@MelissaBearTrix

As a white cis male, I value the sense of security the Atlantic Ocean provides.

(Sorry for friendly fire, though.)

@MelissaBearTrix

Just like any other woman, I have to always be aware of my safety when going out. I carry my keys in my hand. If you know, you know...

When I could present as a dude, nobody touched me. I also learned the skill of being the fastest runner to avoid bullying, but never competed as I despised the hell out of competitive sports.

@MelissaBearTrix

As a cis male with some kind of strong build, I'm rarely concerned about safety, and despite this once I got followed by two guys who wanted to beat the shit out of me because reasons (they mentioned some vague improper driving style, which was probably false).

I managed to evade the confrontation by locking myself in my car.

That was a scary experience, but it didn't leave any kind of trauma, and I still feel safe when outside.

This always makes me think about privilege.

@MelissaBearTrix cis male but brown - I've *constantly* got personal safety in the back of my mind, whilst on the street, when driving, at social events.

I did use to be a raver so was previously in a lot of places with heavy drug and alcohol use - whilst 95% of people in those circles are cool, there's 5% who are not and although I'm older and sober now, the situations you encountered on that scene stay with you..

@MelissaBearTrix

I haven't been anywhere other than shopping and medical appointments (mine and other people's), in my car, for a long time, so the biggest risk is collision.

But my wife's gynecologist needs security staff guarding the access elevator, because they perform abortions in the clinic.

Now increased to guards outside his office door because he is originally Iranian.

@MelissaBearTrix

Yes, cis male. I believe I have complex PTSD so my thoughts of safety are likely out of proportion with my actual risk, especially in inner suburban Australia.

@MelissaBearTrix yeah. Usually more in specific situations, and usually at night: walking to my car, walking along the river, around people that seem to be behaving erratically.

In Adelaide there’s a memorial to George Duncan, a gay man who was murdered for being gay: beaten, thrown in the river Torrens, and drowned. And I think about that whenever I’m near the river.

@MelissaBearTrix The times I have felt unsafe have been...

around the cinemas on George St in the city at night with lots of loud idiots making noise.

After the MG parade when walking back down the route the crowd suddenly feels like "lets bash a freak"

In Annandale one night when walking with B and someone threw an egg at us from a car, and another car had people call us faggots

Bear in mind, I am a big white guy, like... The sort most people would look at and give way to, despite generally being a complete pussy

@MelissaBearTrix My stress concerning going out is less than it used to be because I pass better, yet I still assess the risks and will sometimes carry tear gas (bought after I got assaulted).

Please do not use "trans" without an accompanying noun as it gives the wrong message. Numerous people will not understand you mean "a trans person of whatever gender/sex" and will instead take it as "oh you're a transgender". It's not great either semantically or politically.

@MelissaBearTrix cis male, mixed race, weirdo that had to survive in rural Texas. Let's just say I try to maintain constant situational awareness.

I'm shocked that fewer cis females think of safety compared to cis males.

@MelissaBearTrix As a cis gay man, yes, I think about my safety a lot in a Republican dominated state.

I use a scale of: As a man, could I wear programming socks and a skirt to this location?*

Oftentimes, the answer cannot reach a quantified yes or a barely yes. Due to the fact in transit, the level of danger or safety is in even greater flux.

*(No, this isn't actually my egg beginning to crack. I do find it surreal that if a man exercises the freewill to wear a skirt, colorful stockings, and cute shoes in public...That gets a disproportional and often hostile reaction. Instead of being leery of open carry individuals that I find to be far more unsettling).