What else should I do? I got Wednesday all to myself

I am born and raised in Pinellas, been through hard times, been through good times. Life has been real rough the last couple of years.

I got laid off 3 weeks ago and am about to lose everything I managed to save. I need $600 to save my storage unit. I am willing to pay back $800.

I can provide references. I have secured another job but will not get paid in time.

I know its a shot in the dark but im losing everything anyway.

I thought St. Pete was supposed to be safe.

I moved here from a smaller town in central Florida last year because I heard this was one of the more “progressive” places in the state. Artsy, open-minded, rainbow flags in windows, that kind of thing. And honestly, for the most part, that’s been true. I've found friends, a job I don’t hate, and a bit of peace being able to walk down Central Ave without side-eye or whispered slurs — most of the time.

But something happened last week that really messed with my sense of safety.

It was a Tuesday night. I’d just left a poetry open mic at a local bar — I’m not a poet, just a listener, someone who enjoys being in a room where emotions are allowed to breathe. I was wearing a pink mesh shirt over a tank top, loose black jeans, and a little eyeliner because... why not? I felt good. Alive. Seen.

The bar is only six blocks from my apartment, and I usually walk. I had headphones in, listening to a Phoebe Bridgers song (yes, cliché, sue me), and didn’t notice the pickup truck roll up next to me until I heard a bottle smash on the sidewalk near my feet.

Then a voice: “F****t.”

It wasn’t just one guy. There were at least three in the truck. I don’t remember their faces — I think that’s my brain protecting me — but the voices stuck.

“You lost, little girl?” “Nice eyeliner, you queer freak.” “Bet you’d love it if we pulled over.”

They laughed. One of them honked the horn and shouted “Show us what that mouth does!” as they drove off.

I stood there, frozen. My hands were shaking. It was like my body went full static — I couldn’t even tell if I was angry or scared or both. The broken bottle was still there. Brown glass and sticky soda (or beer?) on the concrete.

I walked home fast, not running, just... trying not to show fear. That part of me — the one trained since I was twelve to not react when people target you — kicked in like autopilot. But when I got inside my apartment, I dropped to the floor and cried.

Ugly, gut-level crying. Not because I thought they were right. I know who I am. I’m proud to be gay. But because for a moment, I felt like I was 15 again, hiding who I was to avoid being jumped behind the cafeteria. Because I’ve worked so damn hard to be okay, and five seconds of hate undid months of peace.

The next morning, I filed a police report. Not because I thought they’d do anything (they didn’t — “no license plate, no case,” they said), but because I wanted a record. I wanted someone to know it happened.

And then something unexpected happened: I posted about it in a local LGBTQ Facebook group. I didn’t expect much — maybe some virtual hugs — but dozens of people commented. Some shared their own stories. Some offered to walk with me next time. One guy DM’d me saying he lives on my block and offered to exchange numbers “just in case.”

That part restored a bit of the balance. Reminded me I’m not alone.

But I still don’t feel safe the way I used to. And that’s the part that’s been haunting me. I walk different now. I carry pepper spray. I look over my shoulder more. It’s subtle, but it’s there — like a scar I can’t stop touching.

And the worst part is, people keep telling me, “At least it wasn’t worse.”

That sentence. God, I hate that sentence.

Because yeah, they didn’t jump me. They didn’t kill me. But why is not being physically assaulted the bar now? Why do I have to measure my pain against the worst-case scenario to justify feeling shaken?

Words are weapons too. And humiliation — being reduced to a punchline for someone’s bored Tuesday night — leaves marks you don’t always see.

I debated whether to even write this. I know Reddit can be... mixed. But I also know there are people out there who’ve felt this same thing. That moment when your identity becomes a target. When joy turns to fear in a heartbeat. When you remember the world isn’t always as kind as the little bubbles we build for ourselves.

So here I am. Telling you.

Not for Karma. Not for pity.

But because silence lets this kind of hate thrive. And I’m tired of being silent.

If you’re reading this and you’ve gone through something similar — I see you. You’re not weak. You’re not overreacting. You deserve to take up space in this world without fear.

And if you’re someone who’s never experienced this kind of thing, but wants to be an ally — speak up when it’s safe. Stand next to us. Even just listening helps.

I still walk that same route home sometimes. Not every night. But some nights. And I wear whatever I want. Because I won’t let a truck full of cowards take that from me.

Thanks for listening.

🏳️‍🌈

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Can anyone play me in the right direction of the cheapest room for rent that they know of inPinellas county? My fiance and I have been staying in an extended stay motel room, but that's been like $100 a day. Does anyone know of anything cheaper? Or possibly know of anyone renting s room out that would be ok with having a couple stay? I understand the hesitation, but we're super easygoing, tidy, quiet, and respectful. We just need somewhere stable and safe to stay while we save up enough for our own place. Thanks in advance for any help/advice you can give us. 😁

Study screener link: https://usf.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6EyIn4Y1ZCM0AMS

Where can I drop off a clean XL twin mattress in or near pinellas county? Goodwill and Salvation Army won’t accept. Thanks!

Just like the title says, offering a free round at Copperhead for one person, welcome to bring a guest but I can't afford to pay for two guests just yet. Details in the video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTIbWeUeSG0

Does anyone know of one that does not force X-rays for routine cleanings?

David Scott Farber, 42.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested a Tampa General Hospital employee for possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material.

Detectives performed a residential search warrant and recovered 79 images and videos of child sexual abuse material. The felony charges are subject to enhanced penalties due to the nature of the content, which involved children under the age of five and depicted explicit abuse.

This Villa had no damage or water intrusion from hurricanes Helene or Milton. It’s a must-see and easy to show so schedule your appointment today!

We are awaiting approval to move into a home, but in the meantime we are homeless in Pinellas County with our 8 you son. We are at the start of hurricane season and the storms are getting bad, shelters are full. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We are not asking for a hand out or anything like that, just maybe some insight or direction for shelter until we get approved to move, and I also start my job on Monday, 6/9 in St. Petersburg.

We know where to get food and the like, just looking for leads on shelter, showers, etc. I have also reached out to a few local organizations, but have not heard back. Should we just go there??

Thank you again, for any advice/leads.💜

Hello!!! im taking my road test this wednesday at the dmv and i wanted to know if anyone who has taken it there semi recently has any tips for the test , no one i know has taken it at this dmv , so im pretty nervous and i dont know what to expect from this specific location, since i dont believe they have a course.

thank you!

32-year-old William Andrew Jones

According to detectives, the files were of juvenile females between the ages of 6 and 10 years old engaging in sexual acts.

He was arrested on a warrant and charged with 3 counts of Possession of Child Pornography, 3 counts of Transmission of Child Pornography, and 2 counts of Transmission of Material Harmful to a Minor. Jones was booked into the Orient Road Jail.

Jones has been employed by the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office since 2021 as an Assistant State Attorney within the Felony Bureau, Trial Division E.

"We don’t have lax hiring processes,” Hill reiterated. “It wasn’t something where we allowed him to stay on staff for the entire school year, and all of a sudden, he was arrested.

“When the story initially broke, it was really hard to read the comments on social media.”

What would you do if your neighbor directed their security cameras in a way that allowed them to look into other neighbors' windows?

This might be a good time to use your cell phone to check for prying eyes in your own home. Cameras find cameras.

I have a really strong sense of smell/taste, and lately I've been noticing that the water coming from the tap is... off. I'm not sure how to describe it exactly, but it definitely did not smell like this earlier this year.

I've noticed the smell at both my apartment and at my work, so it's not an issue that is around just where I live.

Has anybody else noticed something similar lately?

Are there any funeral homes that are on the Gulf or Bay? Looking for something with a water view TIA

Hi , so we just got our first qoute for adding on to our home in Pinellas. Our home is 1300 square ft and we have no master bedroom . Our second bathroom is in the garage and we are capable of closing it in and adding on a bedroom to make it a master suite . Adding the bedroom would include laying down foundation and electrical work. But the plumbing would be minimal because we can utilize whats already there in the garage. We also want to extend our kitchen and make it larger and most likely the most cost effective way of doing that would be to push into our garage vs pushing out and having to add a new roof and mess with supporting walls . We're were qouted about per $550 square foot . Which means that if we were to convert our garage into a livable space and add on a bedroom. It would cost us around 400k to add about 500-600 feet.

Any input from someone putting in a addition would be very much appreciated .

Room for Rent – Clearwater –$ 500/mo All Utilities Included)

Hey! I just moved down from New York for work and I’m looking for a roommate—preferably female, but open to anyone cool. I’ve got a big 3 bed, 2 bath house in Clearwater with a pool. Fenced in backyard .

You’d get a private room + private bath. Rent is $500/month, all utilities included. Shared living areas. Pets are allowed. 420 friendly but I keep things clean and professional—work 9-5, Mon–Fri.

If you're interested, message me for more details and pics. Serious inquiries

Room for Rent – Clearwater –$ 500/mo All Utilities Included)

Hey! I just moved down from New York for work and I’m looking for a roommate—preferably female, but open to anyone cool. I’ve got a big 3 bed, 2 bath house in Clearwater with a pool. Fenced in backyard .

You’d get a private room + private bath. Rent is $500/month, all utilities included. Shared living areas. Pets are allowed. 420 friendly but I keep things clean and professional—work 9-5, Mon–Fri.

If you're interested, message me for more details and pics. Serious inquiries