The first thing you must understand is that this is not about what you think it is. Not entirely anyway. Perhaps it would be easier if I start at the beginning. When I first encountered the word it meant something akin to “strange” or “different” then. They would say of me things like: “That’s a queer one that one.” I liked this new word. It fit me. I thought: “I suppose I have always been queer.” There was no malice carried in the word then. Perhaps a hint of judgement or su

"MY BODY IS NOT UP FOR SALE" My body is not up for sale You are not allowed to touch me Because I smiled your way Or because you bought me a drink at the bar Or even because you gave me a ride and I kissed you My body is not up for sale My body belongs to me And is not for your amusement Unless I allow it to be I refuse to be treated with the same disrespect as my ancestors Standing upon crates Forced to appear naked in front of a thousand European eyes Whose counterparts may