Nothing Came Close to This

This is a blog I wrote about something that happened to me on Friday, March 9, at about 9:30 AM on the 4/5 train. The 4/5 was really crowded this morning. I shoved my way on and buried my nose in the book I'm reading. As the train slowed down to stop at Union Square, I decided to put away my book. As I closed my book, I happened to look slightly down and to my left. And I saw a man's penis, EJACULATING on the back of a poor unsuspecting girl's black down jacket as she faced the other way. The man was AIMING it for this poor girl's back. I gasped and flung myself backward away from the man as the doors opened and this disgusting, dirty man exited the train. - just a regular, disgusting pig of a man who probably does this every morning to some poor girl who happens to be facing the other way. He looked to be about thirty years old. I don't know what happened to the girl afterward - I looked for her, but I was so shaken up as people at Union Sq. entered and exited the train, that I don't know where she went. So some poor girl is now walking the streets of New York, with some disgusting man's semen spread all over the back of her black down jacket. The thought of it makes my stomach turn. She'll probably notice it in a few days and think it was anything but what it really is. So girls -- WATCH OUT ON CROWDED TRAINS. This could've been me, you, or anyone. I've had guys rub up against me before and try to grab my ass on the train, but nothing ever came (no pun intended) close to this.

Hollaing Back in the UK

Z and I were enjoying a pub lunch this afternoon when I began to be stared at and leered at by a random male stranger. He was mouthing words to me, and stared constantly at me. This made me feel upset and intimidated, but I tried to continue as if nothing was happening, and I avoided catching his gaze as far as I could. But no amount of ignoring seemed to discourage him and I began to get angry. Why should *I* feel upset and uncomfortable, when it's *him* being rude, arrogant, intimidating and a complete idiot. How dare he?! I started plotting and, inspired by sites like the fantastic Holla Back NYC - If you can't slap 'em, Snap 'em I got out my phone and took a photo of him with it. (The guy in question is the one sitting down, I've pixellated the entirely innocent guy walking behind him). He realised what I was doing and looked duly horrified, and from then until we left the pub, he didn't even glance at me. I hope I scared him, like he had scared me. And the photo is above. It's unfortunately not a very clear one, but still worth sharing, methinks. It makes me feel better anyway. Ha, you bastard. How DARE you make me feel self-conscious? How DARE you make me feel like I should put a jumper on to cover up my barely-visible-anyway cleavage? How DARE you make me feel embarrassed? How DARE you scrutinise my movements and mouth sexual suggestions to me? How DARE you treat ANY WOMAN like a piece of meat? Whatever the fuck was going on in your head was YOUR problem and you made me feel like it was MY problem and MY fault. You're a total idiot misogynist bastard and I actually hate you. Don't do it again. I mean that. Submitted by Pippa

Sitting by Quietly

my friend and i were sitting on the N the other night, heading uptown from 8th street. we both noticed this guy sitting towards the middle of the train, eyeing us as we stepped in, but soon forgot him as we settled into our seats at the end of the train. As we chatted, we noticed somewhat, this guy getting up and walking towards us...nothing really to freak out about at that point, i mean, pretty much anyone except maybe jolly folk from kansas or something will look sorta creepy on the train late at night.... anyways, i soon noticed that this guy had his sorry excuse for a penis hanging out of his pants, hidden on one side by a black garbage bag, so that only we could see what he was doing... i'm a firm believer in reminding flashers that not only is it wrong to flash women, but that there are women out there who will whoop their scrawny little asses if they disrespect them like that... so i proceeded to curse him out, in a loud enough voice for everyone to hear how pathetic and perverted he was. i walked away from the experience unsettled - not because i and a friend had been sexually harassed, but because there were so many people in that car, even a guy sitting right in front of us, and they ALL IGNORED US. they continued chatting, sitting quietly, minding their own businesses, and a group of people calmly followed the bastard out the door and up the stairs at union square. don't we all inadvertently condone acts like these when we just sit by quietly? i'm not pissed because my friend and i were sexually harassed - i'm disgusted with those new yorkers who witnessed a crime and just let it be... what the fuck, new yorkers?

Never too Young

Although I do not live in New York City, I was recently in a gas station near my school in a different city. I was buying a pack of gum before school with my mother and sister. I came in alone quickly. I walked up to the wrong register and the cashier smiled and said other counter. I am normally very friendly and polite so I smiled and said okay. As i was buying the gum, the man had enough gut to say "You are very pretty. How old are you?" My smile quickly faded. As i turned deep red, I mumbled something and ran out. I was so mad that some random man could just ask me a question like that and assume it'd be okay. I felt very violated. i know that my story isn't nearly as bad as most of the other's, but I wanted to share it. Be careful out there, girls. Even we are at risk. The harassment has already begun. Submitted by K.