The crime rate in the village has been going up for several years. If they ask if I am gay I usually answer yes but I think I may have to be more careful about this now.

I'm so gone. I don't care what the cost. I am not going to live like I did where I came from. That would defeat the entire purpose of having come here, and believe me, I wouldn't look back.

add patrols in the village. I am not in Chelsea that often so I don't know the crime statistics there. I can tell you it is much better than it used to be a few decades ago.

In the rare instances that someone asks that question with a homophobic agenda or in general those I'm not attracted to. I'd immediately return with "No thanks, I'm spoken for". And keep walking. If they laid a hand on me, they'd be on the ground the moment they touched me.

act if I felt I was in mortal danger. I haven't really felt afraid since I was a kid. Wait, I take that back. I was locked up about 20 years ago, and I was scared then. Nobody asked me and I didn't tell anyone. I was in there for a couple of months. You really don't want to come out in jail, not if you can help it.

I don't think I could live in a place where I felt threatened all the time. People up there need to band together and fight back if they think the place is worth fighting for. I've never been to NYC, so I can't say whether it is or not.

I just keep walking. WHy engage them? What good could come of it?

Now if they ask me where there is more control... I usually ask "Why? Do you have a big d*ck?" and then they usually laugh

I responded by asking, "Why are you straight? Why is your hair blonde? Why are your eyes blue? Why are you male?"

Whatever they may say to those questions, I follow up by telling them it's all in the genes, and that I had no more control over being gay than they had being straight, or choosing the natural color of their hair, what their sex was, or the color of their skin.

I explain that I had no more choice or decision over the matter than they did.

That usually suffices, but I would avoid having a conversation with someone who seemed to be looking for trouble, but that generally goes for any topic.

I've read that most people who have a big problem with gay people have that issue because they're often fighting those feelings themselves, and think there's something wrong with them because society has taught them it's wrong. Thankfully, that seems to be changing but of course there's a long way to go.

If you find the answer to this question, you will get the answer you seek. Good day, grasshopper."

Then I would smile benevolently, bow slightly, and slowly walk away.

I am secure enough in knowing that I can protect myself or others around me in this type of situation (for the simple fact I have had to protect myself & others in this type of situation).

I hope I read the question right.

Speaking of me and my partner. I answered "Yes ma'am" and she responded "I thought so. Me too!"

That was the start a great friendship. She told me about commanding nurses at a MASH unit in Korea and later Viet Nam, "dating" gay doctors in the military to give them cover, and of course, her lovers. She was amazing and I'll always treasure those memories.

That said it would depend on when, where and who asked the question. As to why I was gay, I guess I'd just say that I was born this way-but not to a stranger on a city street at night. Likely I'd just ignore them..