Halloween Cometh

Hey everybody! It’s getting to be that time of year when the leaves start to fall and the air becomes chillier: it is autumn, and winter is fast approaching. This time of change is usually accompanied by changing weather, dramatic films for Oscar season, and my personal favorite holiday: Halloween. Of course, there’s also Thanksgiving, but that is for another post.
Today I want to focus on Halloween. It is my favorite because I love dressing up and using my creativity to create a fantastic costume. This year, a couple friends and I are taking inspiration from my favorite movie, Showgirls, and dressing up as the characters. We haven’t decided who we’re going to be (I’m on the fence between Zach, Nomi, or Al). Don’t worry; I’ll post pictures. We are also doing Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat with our thespian troupe. It’s a charity where we trick or treat like children do, only collecting canned goods instead of candy.
Halloween is very popular with the LGBT community. We can shine, get away from our lives for one day, and become someone else. However, one has to careful partaking of the festivities. Any gay basher can easily target you on Halloween. Not only does most everything happen at night, but darkness allows them to lurk without detection, and they can easily disguise themselves. No one is going look the other way if they see a masked figure holding some sort of weapon.
Be careful, and travel in groups. I hate to condone violence, but you may want to keep pepper spray or a bat in your car, in case someone attacks. Make sure you have a cell phone to call for help, also. By no means should you feel scared or intimidated; go out and enjoy yourself.
Gays and lesbians are also targets of pranksters looking to create mischief and wreak havoc on property. It is important to not overreact (and potentially get charged for something yourself); just keep your eyes open. A well-lit yard should deter most, but some like to sit on the porch and keep an eye on things. On the other side, don’t do anything stupid yourself.
If you are attending a party, club, or other LGBT event, use the same precautions you would any other day, only heightened. Don’t drink if you’re underage, never go home with someone you don’t know if you’re under 18, and practice safe sex. This is especially true of attending haunted houses. In bigger cities, stories of rape, assault, and even homicide are connected to these attractions.
A lot of crazies come out (no pun intended) on the 31st, and you don’t want to be a victim. As LGBT, we already have enough to deal with. This one night of the year is a great time to unwind and get away from our troubles. Enjoy it, and don’t eat too much candy!