It's easy to say, "don't pay any attention to them", but you have to. I did. Periodically throughout my public schooling, eons ago, I had to "prove" I wasn't gay to lots of kids who thought I was. And so, I did. I became so good at being tough, lots of kids , then later, adults, left me alone....well alone.
And now, I've come full circle. I'm gay.
I'm a gay woman, and happy, and not quite so tough anymore.
Bev