• Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    I have a very fond memory of high school of sitting in class and being given shit by a couple of football players and then another one of them, who they definitely looked up to, but everyone else thought was kind of stupid, said “hey, I like [my real name]. Leave him alone.” He’d never really even talked to me before, but we were friends after that. I haven’t talked to him in years, but he was a nice guy and smarter than he seemed.

    • Stamets [Mirror]@startrek.websiteOP
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      11 months ago

      I had a similar experience. I was openly gay in high school. Most people had no real issue with me, which blew my mind, but the sporty types were a bit put off. Probably unsurprisingly. One of 'em randomly came up to me during lunch period and started asking for advice on his hair and shirt because he had a date later that night. Helped him out. He gave me a hug. None of the jocky dudes gave a shit after that.

      As idiotic as the whole ‘alpha male’ shit is, there is a tiny modicum of truth somewhere in there when it comes to social hierarchy with humans and decisions made by the more popular types. He was a bro.

      Nice dick too.