“Boys will be boys” my mom said nonchalantly as I told her what had occurred in my last class period of the day. It baffled me how a teenage boy being mocked for his sexuality could be so trivial in her eyes. I didn’t understand how the struggle for gay rights was any different from black rights or feminism. To me we were all united, brought together by our interminable fight for equality and acceptance. As an amiable and peaceful introvert I find it difficult to stand up for what I believe is right. Nevertheless, I gulped down the anxiety knotting up in my throat and held my ground. As they shoved him in the hall and chanted gay, giggling like hyenas, a determination to defend others sparked in me. I defended the boy against his bullies
