Being poor during the holiday.

Making my way to yoga.

On Saturday night I met up with a few friends at the Abbey in West Hollywood. I was coming from the Trans Coalition fashion show. I had two glasses of wine while watching the show. I had a third at Pump and one beer at The Abbey. I started leaning on my friends as I was clearly intoxicated, feeling embarrassed for being too drunk, I decided to get my ass home so I left my friends around 12:30AM to find my Lyft. I was walking past Pump when three men swooped up around me and begged for me to come with them. I got you baby, whatever you need I got you. Let me help you. One after another swirling around, grabbing, touching and yes sometimes holding me up. I kept saying, “no I’m good no I have a boy friend.” They were so aggressive and not taking no for an answer. My adrenaline kicked in, sobering me up. I forced myself away, walking past TomTom, calling my Lyft. I was shaking and embarrassed that I was intoxicated and so vulnerable. I finally saw a car pull up and the driver looked like the driver on my Lyft app. As I got in, I left my door open asking the driver who he was picking up and he said just get in. I asked for Billie? He said yes, yes close the door. This did not feel right so I asked for him to show me his phone and he said close the door we gotta get going I’ll take you home don’t worry. I immediately got out of his car and found my driver behind us. Once I got into my Lyft and verified the driver I burst into tears. These men were not out drinking and having a good time, these men were professionals and they were there to lure me to a second location. I called 911 when I got home and reported the behavior. The operator was annoyed stating it wasn’t an emergency but I felt otherwise. If I was just a little more intoxicated would I have made it home safe? Who is next? These men are standing outside our bars praying on vulnerable women. Where are the police? What is the city of West Hollywood doing to protect us? Sex trafficking is now an epidemic in our country and around the world. It’s happening right outside our local bars. I beg you ladies reading this to be alert, never leave a bar alone even if you are embarrassed or ashamed of being intoxicated. The sex trafficking industry pulls in an estimated $99 billion each year making it the fastest growing crime. I found a hot line to report any suspicious activity 1-888-373-7888 please don’t be afraid to call the police or this number.