Gracey,

I hear your pain and am so sorry for what you have been through. Anything that is done to someone against their will and wishes is in no way their fault or should lead to any " labels". You are not a *****, slut or anything else that demeans your wonderful spirit that was strong enough to survive and touch this world.

Not meaning anything against you or your poem-- it's just that gender-prejudice labels cause me to become very upset. I wonder if a woman would benefit if she tried to think in the way a man does on this subject-- a woman would be a "stud"-- "Don Juan"--"Experienced- in a good way"- and any number of other compliments-- I think it's about time men and women quit the one sided labels-- to me-- if a male doesn't get the label-- then neither should a woman.

There is no such thing as a *****- or slut-- unless it can encompass all humans- at least that's the way I see it!!

I suppose my view is unrealistic as women are and have been held at higher standards in just about every way of life throughout history-- and yet have less value-- as the "labeling" reveils (and many other practices around the globe)--- labels are put on things with less value- IMO.

I hope I haven't offended you-- it is certainly not my intention. I am very sorry for your pain. I just get a panic kind-of-reaction over me when I see such gender-specific labels, when I know there is not such a degradation put on the other gender--- it really hurts my heart. ---- the injustice of it.

I wish you peace and healing--- if only I could take your hurting away, I would.

Kind thoughts to you,

mandy