
One of the most interesting things about life is that no one's experience is the same. Each of us navigates the world differently with a unique set of experiences and memories.
For marginalised groups, who have, at one time or another, fallen outside of society's norms, life can present difficulties which aren't experienced by the masses.
A tweet by @MarkPochow, which uncovers the experience of the LGBT+ community, has gone viral for this very reason.
LGBTQ folks what’s one activity you dread that straight people don’t stress about? Mine is going to the doctor. I just always feel judged.— Mark (@Mark) 1547503836
Mark received thousands of replies when he asked Twitter users to share the parts of everyday life which make them uncomfortable.
Some of the answers were heartbreaking...
Taxi driver conversation: whether it be about your "girlfriend", or being asked if you're going to a club to "pull… https://t.co/khcGPB89CN— Ryan Nelson (@Ryan Nelson) 1547627184
@MarkPochow Straight bars . Going now just reminds me it’s not a safe place to be myself— Saltinx (@Saltinx) 1547520732
@MarkPochow My biggest one is working with children. Which is the central part of my job as an educator. What if th… https://t.co/fU9vIM9SoT— We did it Joe (@We did it Joe) 1547522271
For LGBT+ people, even something as straight forward as a holiday can require extra consideration.
@MarkPochow My boyfriend and I travel a lot and it takes a lot of research to see if we can be ourselves where we a… https://t.co/WFkCghKBFk— Veronica P. Grimm (@Veronica P. Grimm) 1547565194
Or as simple as going to a work event or starting a new job.
@MarkPochow Probably reading the room at any event / working environment and then adjusting how “you” you can be.— JonnyH245 (@JonnyH245) 1547556670
@MarkPochow Mentioning my husband if it comes up to new colleagues or clients. To be fair, no one has made me feel… https://t.co/5iUt1STRdX— peacockpete (@peacockpete) 1547557432
Or paying the bill at a restaurant.
@MarkPochow When Im with my partner, asking for the check at a restaurant and having the server assume we want it separate— Rob Ulrich - they/he (@Rob Ulrich - they/he) 1547600412
Or, perhaps most sadly, holding hands in public.
@MarkPochow I've been physically attacked twice in my life while holding hands in public, as well as verbal abuse i… https://t.co/ckAIl8FbZs— Bodo Winter (@Bodo Winter) 1547629691
@MarkPochow Holding hands in the street— Alex Lamaison 🏳️🌈 (@Alex Lamaison 🏳️🌈) 1547565051
Times like Christmas, which are supposed to be full of love, can be painful reminders of not quite fitting in.
@MarkPochow I still hate Christmas with the family tbh. Feel very alone and my life completely ignored. Find very difficult.— brunopaul2 (@brunopaul2) 1547581622
It just goes to show that, while things have come so far, there's still a long way to go until everyone feels comfortable to be who they are in 2019.
More: LGBT+ equality is like 'Nazi propaganda': Shocking footage exposes gay 'cure' therapy in UK church
