No means NO!

It isn't a casual invitation to try and change my mind.
No means no.
It isn't me playing hard to get or a chance for you to prove yourself.
No means no.

No means "back off!" not to grab my wrists and try to press your tongue down my throat.
It means I actually want to watch the movie, not watch the ceiling tiles waiting for you to be done.
No means no.

Society says,
"You should've fought back!"
"Why didn't you scream for help?"
"You can't change your mind once he's all excited like that!"

Fuck society!

My body is not a plaything for boys who can't control theirs!

The first time, you asked over and over; a zillion times I said "no!"
A light touch on my arm, another question.
No.
You pull my face toward yours, a kiss, another question.
No.

Silence.

A grope on my breast, your hand sliding down toward my thigh; I push it away saying "no" once more.
Over and over in similar manners the question was raised and amswered with no, until.....no became tired.
I became tired.
A whispered yes escaped my lips while my mind and body still screamed no.
I got my nerve back just before, pushed, said "no, I changed my mind, no!"
You told me it was too late.
You told me it'd feel good.

I watched the ceiling tiles, waiting for you to be done.

No means no.

When I said that, it wasn't a game for you to try to win.
No meant no.
You took my voice that day; how dare you?
I have the right to say "no", to say "yes", then to say "no" again!

Society told me,
"You shouldn't have worn those clothes."
"You walked alone a block and a half, it's your own fault!"

If shorts and a hoodie can cause catcalls from a lone taxi man, then never let your women out of the house!
I should be able to wear what I please without the fear of someone whistling at the way my ass looks while walking to my car!
I should be able to walk a parking lots length without being blocked my a taxi, a man grabbing me, asking for "at least a kiss, baby, just one."

No means no.

If I say "no", respect what I say and back off!
Don't creep closer with tantalizing whispers ("come on baby, it'll feel good" "it won't hurt, you'll like it" "you're so sexy, lemme show you" "don't you love me baby") that send warning shivers up and down my spine!
Don't tell me I'm a bitch when I say "no" and I mean it.

One in five women end up in these situations, where men take "no" as an invitation to "go ahead, come on in, really!"

"'Woe is me' they cry," society says, "it's just another call for attention."
You think we like the attention this drags to our lives? No!
The constant reminder that we can't walk in our favorite city anymore without flashbacks of the night with the taxi man.
The never ending need to check behind us to ease the fear we're being followed.
The paranoia of a man performing a PAP because we won't be safe and he'll take advantage while we're lying in the stirrups.
Yes, we long for this attention, it warms our souls.

No means no!

Get your heads out of your asses, America! Check the facts! Don't write us off as "another statistic with a bad attitude!"
Teach your boys that "no" is not a boundary to push or a game of 'hard to get' to win.
Teach them that no means NO!