These are all things that have been said to me, in more ways than one, since I became a cheerleader in 2011. Normally when these things are said to me I just not my head, laugh it off and walk away. But these are a few things that go through my head that I wish I could say but I’m too polite to.

1. “Oh, you’re a cheerleader? That must mean you’re gay.”

Just because there is a guy on a cheerleading squad that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s gay. That may not be the case for me, considering that I am, but I know a lot of male cheerleaders, and former male cheerleaders, who are interested in women. Don’t be rude.

2. “You get to touch the girls all over, I bet that’s great.”

If you mean grabbing their ankles tightly so I can lift them above my head, wrap my arms around their chest so that I can catch them and throw my body under theirs so that in case they fall they don’t hit the ground then yes, it is great. Stunting is not a sexual thing. Sure, I might have to put my hand on their bum to get them in the air or I might accidentally touch their breasts when I catch them but I’m not trying to get them pregnant.

3. “You’re a cheerleader? I bet you get all the ladies.”

I mean, you’re not wrong. But being on a team you get to know everyone, both the good and the bad, which creates a “family” like feeling. I’m basically the brother that they never had or another brother to add to the mix and even if I was straight, I would never want to mess up that dynamic. Plus it's nice feeling so close to a group of people and adding romance to that dynamic is not only creepy but dangerous. I’ve made some of the best friends on my squad and I wouldn’t risk that for anything.

4. “You should totally introduce me to all the single girls on the squad!”

No. Absolutely-positively-not. Chances are you are not a good guy and I would never set one of my girls up with someone who doesn’t deserve them. Plus, I’m not their pimp so don’t come to me looking for a date since clearly you don’t have the manhood to ask one of them out yourself. End of conversation.

5. “So, do you like stay in the room when they change and stuff?”

No you pervert. I leave the room because that’s the respectable thing to do. Sure they have nothing to worry about because I’m not interested and it’s not like I’m looking at them, but it’s the polite thing to do so that they don’t feel uncomfortable. Ya nasty.

6. “Why did you start cheering? Are you not able to do real sports?”

First of all, cheerleading is a sport. Second of all, I’d like to see you try to lift girls above your head, throw them around in the air and set them on the ground safely or even throw your entire body weight around at various different angles to “wow” the crowd.

7. "Why are you wearing a cheerleading sweatshirt? Is that your girlfriend's?"

Um, NO. This is my sweatshirt and I literally put my blood, sweat and tears into this sport and deserve to wear this with pride.