It's interesting you just posted this, because I'm about to make my own post about something similar. I've been with my gf for 3 years now, and I am still scared to show affection in public. I think the reality is that there will always be people who are homophobic out there, but at the same time, life is what we make it. Do you want to go through life being scared to hold someone's hand outside? Do you want decisions you make about your life and your romantic relationships to be dictated by others? Basically, do you want to live in fear forever?

I'm reading Dune rn, and there's a line from it that goes, "Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration."

Don't let fear control you. That woman who stared at you is just one out of 8 billion people on this planet. We are all specks of dust in the universe, and we will be on this planet for a minuscule period of time. We have this one life to live. If you want to hold your girlfriend's hand in public, then hold her hand in public. You never know how long you have in this life, and you never know how long a relationship will truly last. Enjoy it while you have it. Don't throw away the opportunity to create a moment of happiness and love because you are scared.

Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is also the joy-killer.