Cops in the US often stand aside and do nothing when queer people are in danger of violence. Sadly, I've had to editorialize about many stories in which police stood aside as Proud Boys, Patriot Front members, etc threatened or actively assaulted people at Pride or drag queen events. In some of those cases, cops have been caught on camera fist bumping or otherwise actually encouraging members of the white supremacist groups.

It's very difficult to trust police in many parts of the U.S., because they're drawn from the most conservative elements of society, with all that implies for queer people.

Oswego, NY is in a very conservative part of the country. It's a rural area hundreds of miles from NYC, and while Tyler's experiences in upstate NY have been better than in West Virginia, he still lives surrounded by daily disapproval of his queerness.

The university he attends won't even say gay. They've released statements about this matter saying all students deserve to feel safe on campus, but not that LGBTQ students deserve to feel safe on campus.

As I was publishing this story, Tyler was meeting with Kerr, who told him the university will not speak up to condemn campus homophobia.

We have a long, long way to go to achieve true equality.