Last year, a video of the beating of a transwoman in a suburban Baltimore McDonalds went viral.
Chrissy Polis said she wasn't even going to tell anyone her story because she was so embarassed. Instead, it was told for her, in images, on YouTube.
The video thrust her into a spotlight she never sought. She said she never even wanted to be involved in transgender causes. Now, she shuns offers of help from strangers because she fears they are only trying to "use" her for a "greater cause."
It's gotten so bad that she's afraid to go out of the house, according to her roommate, Heather Hock.
On top of everything, she has people calling her "sick," "in need of professional help" and worse. In essence, they say, she had it coming to her.
All of this reminds me of what commonly happened--and still sometimes happens--to rape victims. And, of course, the root of violence against Polis is the same as that of violence against any other woman: misogyny. Until that is rooted out, none of us are completely safe.
Chrissy Polis said she wasn't even going to tell anyone her story because she was so embarassed. Instead, it was told for her, in images, on YouTube.
The video thrust her into a spotlight she never sought. She said she never even wanted to be involved in transgender causes. Now, she shuns offers of help from strangers because she fears they are only trying to "use" her for a "greater cause."
It's gotten so bad that she's afraid to go out of the house, according to her roommate, Heather Hock.
On top of everything, she has people calling her "sick," "in need of professional help" and worse. In essence, they say, she had it coming to her.
All of this reminds me of what commonly happened--and still sometimes happens--to rape victims. And, of course, the root of violence against Polis is the same as that of violence against any other woman: misogyny. Until that is rooted out, none of us are completely safe.
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