My own experience made me acutely aware of the complex web of shame that homophobic and transphobic bullying can instil. It was confusing to be taunted and harassed by people who had formed conclusions about my sexuality, when even I wasn’t sure what my orientation was. Furthermore, I didn’t feel like I could discuss the situation with anyone, either at school or at home, because doing so would have only drawn more attention to my queerness and provoked questions from adults that I didn’t feel prepared or safe to answer.
