Variety Of Lovely Subjects

Protest at my School

Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault, Rape

        Today at my high school, there was a protest for a girl who got expelled at a different school in the district for reporting sexual assault against her. The administration said that she caused too much drama because other girls gained the confidence to report theirs too. She was expelled.

        Anyways, there was a protest where people wore teal and had paint on their bodies of where they've been touched. They also had signs that had quotes and even how old they were when they were touched. It wasn't just a protest for what happened at the other school, but a protest so the administration--the people we are around the majority of our day-- can realize we don't feel safe.

        There were seven women who stood on a table to share their story in 30 minutes. One of them was 3 and 7-9 when they were touched, even 14. Another happened just last Friday at a football game.

        I am one of them, too.

        I have been sexually harassed my whole life.

        When I was five, an old man slapped my bum in the way to the school bathrooms. When I was eight and in gymnastics, my coach touched me through my outfit. When I was eleven, my toxic boyfriend at the time would touch my bum in the middle of class. When I was twelve, I would get my bum slapped by random people in the halls. When I was thirteen--hadn't even been 13 for two months--a guy blackmailed me into sending him photos and creating sexual scenarios with him, which got my phone taken away for a year because my mother refused to believe in me. I even got music--my favorite thing in the whole world--taken away for three months.

        All of that happened while I was getting checked out by older men in the store or anywhere I went.

        My own father would put his hand on my thigh while driving.

        My own grandma touches me. In one instance, she pulled my shirt up in the middle of a restaurant to check out my bum. I was so uncomfortable and I yelled at her. She just acted like she didn't do anything wrong as I left and walked home.

        Now that I'm trans, it's only worse.

        At school, men and women in my classes touch me. In all of my classes, there is at least one person I'm afraid to sit next to because I fear they will touch me.

        I'm not saying this for remorse or pity. I'm saying this to let you know that you are not alone.

        Whether you are male or female or neither, you are not alone.

        If you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm always here. Even if you just need someone to be a listening ear, I'll listen.

        I love you all so much. Stay safe, loves.

     Love,
          Ash Clementine xo