Appearances

We automatically assume that Mickey and Brian are gay partly because of her physical description of them as well as the context of the description. She decides not to immediately reveal they aren't gay to show that people are quick judge based upon very little information. She waits to allow the reader to get caught in the trap of assuming from little information that someone is gay. The issue of antigay violence changes dramatically when one realizes that some of its victims are heterosexual. When this is recognized, a person realizes that it could easily happen to him or her. For example, a man wearing clothing that could make him appear to be gay, acting a certain way, or having an interest often associated with the opposite gender could make someone appear to be a homosexual when that is not the case. Something as simple as this could lead to violence, which is never appropriate, for a false impression.