The purpose in Vazquez waiting to disclose the fact the both Mickey and Brian were heterosexual is to emphasize to the readers that antigay and lesbian violence is not only damaging to the homosexual communities but to all men and women. These men were being attacked because they "acted" like gay men, not because they were. When the reader understands that the violence they presumed to be directed toward only gays and lesbians, is capable of happening to straight people, the intensity of the violence is simply that much larger. Not to devalue or discredit the brutality of antigay violence directed at homosexuals, but when a straight person is reading this essay it only magnifies the threat and danger if they know it has potential to effect them physically as well. The point of her disclosing it at all is similar to the reason why she waits to disclose it at the end of the anecdote. The issue is amplified. When the threat is tangible to a much wider scope of people and more people are aware of the fact that the danger is able to harm them then the problem and violence is increased and treated with the seriousness that is needed.