People keep asking me to quantify the discrimination I deal with. “Tell me a story.” “Give me something specific.” How can I give anyone something specific when my entire life is built around discrimination, the fear of discrimination or worse, the fear that my safety may be compromised? How do you explain to someone what it’s like to take in the escape routes in every room or building in preparation for what could happen?

How do you explain to someone that you’ve never lost a job opportunity because you’ve learned to judge what jobs you are allowed to apply for? “Who’s friendly?” How do you explain to someone who isn’t judged as “different” what it’s like to walk down the street expecting to be taunted, eyed? How do you explain that none of this is conscious to me anymore, that it’s just part of who I am.

I don’t ask for a lot. I just want this constant vigilance to subside so that I may use that energy to contribute more productively to society.

I’m voting no on Question 1.

Karen Frost, Paris