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The original was posted on /r/twoxchromosomes by /u/BamWhamKaPau on 2023-07-27 02:43:15.
Today an elementary/middle school team held practice at the public courts where I do solo basketball practice. There are enough hoops to share and I’ve never had a problem playing on a hoop next to the small groups of kids (mostly boys) that play there.
Today was different. I don’t know if it was because of the larger group or what. But as soon as I got on the court, the kids decided to bully another boy by saying I was his girlfriend. Shitty, but I decided to ignore it and just focus on my shooting and dribbling exercises.
That was until they actively started yelling at me, stuff like “Hey girl!” and loudly referring to me as this kid’s girlfriend, trying to get my attention. So I stopped and went up to them. Asked them why they thought what they were doing was okay. And how old they thought I was (“Uh… 16?”). Told them that was funny, but no, I’m 31, and maybe they shouldn’t be making those kinds of comments on the court. That shut them up, and I was able to go back to my exercises.
Their male coach? Not a word even when I looked at him after approaching the kids. I didn’t want to make more of a scene so I tried to wait until their practice was over. Unfortunately I had to leave before that, but I really wish I could have told the coach to teach his kids that just because a girl or young woman is on the court, it doesn’t make it okay for the kids to talk about her like that or harass her. Luckily they were just using the court as a one time thing so I doubt I’ll see them again, but still wish I could have talked with the coach.
I’m just… Damn, they really do start young. I just wanted to play basketball. I get enough harassment in public going about my day from adult men. I don’t need it from little boys too! I do wonder if they would have still done it if I looked older, like an actual adult. I hope next time they think twice before doing shit like that.