man theres this kid named mike in therapy and like. first, he took my marker and hid it and apparently that made my anxiety go up because i started freaking out without realizing it. he gave it back and i was mad at him for that. then, andrew was talking about how he doesnt feel like hes heard very often/ignored a lot in groups of people, and out of NOWHERE, mike asked, "well, are you a furry?" and wow WOW i was so OFFENDED and like. the entire group was confused bc i guess none of them knew what that was, and i was too overwhelmed to explain, but i came right out and said "i am!" and then went on to ask what the hell that had to do with anything.
he seemed EXTREMELY surprised, asked me "really?" at least 5 times, and then i forced the conversation back to andrew (with the help of my therapist) and sat there and brooded for the rest of the time. mike looked like he felt guilty, and even more guilty when i drew a little vent picture on the board because i was really upset. i wasnt expecting judgment or harassment in THERAPY.
now, at the end, i finally spoke up, and unfortunately cut andrew off a little because of it but i had to get it out. i said i was offended and upset because it honestly sounded like he was going to take a shot at furries, and USUALLY i can handle that stuff, but in therapy its supposed to be a safehaven and were all supposed to respect each other. he then apologized profusely, said he was trying to make a bad, dumb joke and that he doesnt really think of the things he says a lot of the time (which is true because hes said other derogatory things without realizing it), and said it was because the furries he knows dont usually speak up about it so that was where he was going w the joke. i did forgive him, i apologized if i overreacted, it just blindsided me. it really did.
i am thankful that he apologized, he really DID look like he felt really bad, said that if i hadnt said anything during therapy that he was going to apologize to me privately afterwards which he did anyway, its just. he seems to like to tease people and doesnt... realize... that he can be hurtful sometimes? between the marker and that, i was exhausted. sure i might be still a little 'weh' about it, but... i understand. i think what lingers in my mind most right now is how ****ing SURPRISED he was when i said that i was one. like ok you can be surprised i guess but dont ask me "really???" like 500 times pls it makes me feel uncomfortable
pbbt oh well its in the past now i just hope the entire group doesnt go home and google 'furry' and then come in disgusted w me like smfh