Georgia

Georgia G. Woods, a transgender woman, is afraid of being in an unpleasant situation that she wouldn't know how to get out of. Georgia feels more comfortable being with friends who fully accept her.

Depending on the place and who she is with, Georgia feels safe most of the time.

"If I’m alone in a lesspopulated area, then I start worrying about my safety," she says.

She has not been insulted to her face but she has overheard conversations about her. She has heard people saying negative comments, using the t-slur and f-slur towards her.

Georgia believes that men have fewer worries about being alone in public. However, she does think that it’s unfair how society is teaching women to fear all men, because not every man has bad intentions.

Georgia believes the only way to end cat-calling culture and create a safer place for everyone is to teach children that everyone is equal and that gender doesn't matter.

“It comes down to exposing new generations to a more neutral view of gender and the people around us,” Georgia says.

She explains that we should remove the stigma of gender roles and stereotypes from modern media and teach children that, "we are all simply people trying to live our lives."

Zyanna, a 19-year-old, fears that she will be either verbally or physically attacked at any time, so late-night walks are terrifying.

She has encountered catcalling many times:

“Aye girl, how old are you? I just wanna’ talk.”

“When are you gonna be 18?”

“Come on, I wanna get to know you!”

She chooses to ignore the insults by having her earbuds in. She is quiet and can look mean at times, she explains, because growing up, she was taught that black people were taught to walk around angry and to not look approachable so no one would disturb them.

“No one wants to bug the angry black girl. I like to look unapproachable,” Zyanna says.

“Look mad, be bold, be brave, and keep pepper spray on you,” she says, adding that if you have the option, take self-defense classes.