To be a LGBTQ+ woman or femme means policing yourself and your actions at every turn, especially when in public. When it comes to displays of affection with your partner, it means almost imperceptibly scanning your immediate surroundings for groups of men. It means choosing not to kiss or hold hands in certain settings for the sake of your safety; choosing not to engage with catcalls or threats to avoid violence.

Some days, these can feel like extreme measures if, like me, you have surrounded yourself with queer friends, and your world is filled with examples of queer love and affection. But homophobic attacks serve as a devastating reminder of the way our relationships are viewed and why we take such demoralising precautions.