I’m a socially awkward person, but because the world reads me as female, I’m allowed to be kind to strangers and friendly to children I don’t know. Which is good, because that’s my instinct.
I can’t imagine what it would be like to have that instinct squashed/made suspect. https://t.co/c5WoGpQFof

— Laurie Penny (@PennyRed) April 28, 2021

I can tell you that it really sucks to be treated as always suspect.

And as an adult man, you get that a lot. Constantly. Do something nice for someone female? YOU MUST WANT TO FUCK HER.

Be friendly to any kid anywhere? YOU DIRTY PEDOPHILE!

Men often have to go out of their way to be unkind so as not to be perceived as creeps. I don’t think most women really realize this, so I am glad Laurie brought it up.