It’s SO clear that Gloria has not been a regular bus/train rider as a young woman or young queer person… the amount of attention reserves that bracing yourself for someone catcalling you, harassing you is WAY bigger & more exhausting than podcast or music!!

I also would rather be available to have spontaneous conversations with strangers & hear what’s going on around me but there are good reasons some of us can’t always

Ppl that don’t recognize this have clearly not experienced the kind of harassment that so many of us have!

Generally, I DONT wear headphones on bus or BART, but if someone is starting to hit on me & not respecting me saying no, that’s when I put them on.

Most of the time I HATE that everyone wears headphones blocking each other out. But, for women, queer ppl, ppl of color, can be a crucial lifeline for surviving bus & involuntary contact with jerks - getting harassed or fear of (due to repeated past experiences) can ruin your day & mental health!