I was going to say 'I think I am one of those women who has never experienced direct, physical counteracting of my wishes, who has never been made to feel like a sex object'. I was going to say, partly this means I am one of that group that does not know what it is like on an innately personal level and thus likely to be targeted by those attempting to rally support for the notion that how you dress is an invitation. Except:

I have had my breasts remarked on (whilst wearing my school uniform, whilst in school, whilst not wanting or invoking attention, whilst being obviously discomforted) and my appearance commented on by guys within my earshot, as if I do not matter. And I dismiss that in my head as 'well, that happens'. I have had men make remarks or whistle when on the street (and I am overweight and self conscious and dress like I am self-conscious, I read when I walk, I do not ask for attention figuratively or literally) and I dismiss that in my head as 'well, that happens'. I had a boyfriend (immediately after dumping him, sharing a house) corner me in my room, standing between me and the door and had my mind go terrified-blank, suddenly calculating all the ways this very angry male could hurt me because I was shorter and weaker and female. and I dismissed that at the time as 'well, this happens'.

I don't think there is a single woman out there who has not been made to feel lesser than she is for simply being female at some point. And some of us dismiss it as 'well, that happens' utterly missing the point. It shouldn't.

Thank you for sharing, Tea.