People called him and told him that if he got with me they would lose all respect for him.

This blog inspires me so much to realize that there is nothing actually wrong with me for being a “slut.” After being broken up with by my first, and to this day only, serious boyfriend the summer before 11th grade, I began to explore more sexually than I had in my relationship, and with multiple guys, in an attempt to get over him. Ever since then, people had made their assumptions about the kind of person I was, but kind of kept their opinions to themselves. This went on up until my senior year of high school (this past year), when I had managed to turn my bruised reputation into a totally shattered one. I got involved with one of the most well-liked boys in school. He wasn’t even attractive. He was just talented, nice, funny, and pretty inexperienced. I offered to take his virginity as a favor to him and he said yes. The day after, we sat outside on the bleachers and we made out. It was just a simple make out session, but when people found out they were furious because I was “perverting” and “ruining” him. People that day called him and told him that if he got with me they would lose all respect for him. This one girl in particular, whom I had had a rocky past with, started a rumor that I had lost my virginity to a 40-year-old coworker who was a registered sex offender in the parking lot of my job. The rumor spread like wildfire. All the while, the guy did nothing. He even went so far as to make jokes about me forcing myself on him and how it was “practically rape,” even having the nerve to tell me he couldn’t control what people said or did so he just went with it. His true nature became clear about 2 months later when he slut shamed another girl from our school on Facebook and encouraged others to join in. Throughout this experience, I was at the lowest point I had ever been at. I’ve always been a strong person but being slut shamed had my crying to my close friends and cousins at least 3 days a week. The only salvation I had was that after 4 months I never had to see these people again. I think that was the only reason I never slipped into depression or self harm. I was so close to being out. After graduation, I posted a video about slut shaming on Facebook. About 5 minutes later, that same girl who started the rumor posted a status that read “I love slut shaming.” It got 30 likes. I immediately blocked her. I am starting college in 5 days and I am looking forward to a fresh start.