When I said I was afraid the line went silent.
When I said I was neglected, your mouth didn’t utter a word.
When I came out, you closed your eyes and your lips.
When I felt threatened, you walked away without a word.
When I was hurt, you looked away.
When I felt injustice, you pushed me away quietly.
When they screamed faggot at me, your muteness agreed.
When I heard them laugh at me, you didn’t hush them.
When they preached I was a sin, you didn’t protest.
When they posted that homophobic/transphobic meme, I didn’t see you challenge them.
When they wrote on your wall that my type was no good, I didn’t see you respond.
Your silence fueled his rage. Your quiet inability to stand by me, speak up for me, let him believe that each bullet he fired was justified.
We don’t need your moments of silence. We need your voice. We need your support. We need you to speak up and stand up.