A Troll? What the **** is that and why should I give a hoot?
First, let’s get clear on our terms.
For the purpose of this article, “Troll” has two meanings.
1. The traditional online meaning (if there is such a
thing) is someone who posts messages to a forum or chatroom
just to stir up a fight, or to bait someone.
For example, you could have some 15-year-old straight boy
teenager and his friends respond to your online personal
profile just because they want to lure you in then bash
you, either verbally or— heavens forbid — in person.
2. The gay man’s term, “troll,” also has a very specific
meaning. It applies to undesirable, ugly men who have
little or no social skills and thus, don’t take ‘no’ for an
answer.
And before you decide “Well I’m a lesbian, so that counts
me out” let me tell you something:
Lesbians are a ‘target’ of trolls.
Some thuggish types get their jollies by harassing lesbians
or even try to set up dates because they think lesbians
are actually porn-stars who go both ways – You think I’m
joking? Think again!
In either case, if a troll responds to your online personal
profile, it is imperative you are able to detect him and
break off communication immediately. In some cases your
well-being may depend on it.
Put up your hand if you have ever had a gay friend ‘homo-
bashed’.
My hand is up.
My friends and I were at a straight bar and a buzz-cut,
red-neck from the local military academy lured my friend
outside to ‘make-out’.
When he didn’t return we went looking for him and found him
out cold on the sidewalk – bashed!
How horrible some human beings can be….
Anyway, the same thing goes for people who are only
pretending to be single and available, but are actually
either married or already in a relationship. They may not
physically bash you but it is still a form of abuse.
They maliciously put you at risk of sexual disease, HIV and
having your heart wrenched out and thrown to the hounds.
Anyway you look at it, it can’t end well….for you!
Well that brings us to the end of this brief article.
My main message for you today is you have to be on your
guard and be aware many onliners are going to deceive you. I
wish it weren’t true but it’s a fact of life.
Thankfully, with the right tools, you can greatly reduce
your exposure to risk and keep yourself safe.
In the next article in this series, you will begin to learn
how to detect online ads or profiles from trolls.
Specifically you will learn about what I’ve called ‘Move
Out Ya Bum!’ and ‘The Pungency of Desperation’.
Discover what they mean and what to do if you spot either
of them.
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