Living in a small town and have issues with gender.

[scarytrees]

Does anyone find it really difficult making friends and developing relationships with people because of your views on gender? I have had a really difficult time moving back to W.V. and people just treating me like I'm a leper almost. And is there anyone who lives in any small towns or places that are not large cities where it's especially hard and

Comments

[kat_chan]

I'm sorry you're having such troubles. Living in a large-ish city, I haven't really run into that problem, though I've had to explain to a few people what I mean. After all, even though Columbus is a big city, the people I know who grew up in the suburbs are as likely to have no clue about gender issues as the people in the rural areas southeast of here. I have a friend at work who acts like he's walking on eggshells when he brings up anything about my views on gender. So even in the big cities you can get odd reactions.

Is there anything in particular that they seem to have trouble with, or just the general idea that you have non-conforming views about gender?

[scarytrees]

I have gotten odd reactions while living in a city but it was usually easier to know some people who had no problems with it or were understanding if they were not that familiar with it but being back in W.V. it's just so bleak, like people just think I'm really creepy and have no clue why a person can have an issue with gender roles. I feel like I should just avoid people while I'm here for just a little longer until I get back to a big city.

[kat_chan]

Ah, so it is more of a problem of not having anyone around that you can turn to. I can certainly understand that; it would have to feel incredibly isolating.

Do you mind my asking where in W. V. you're at?

[scarytrees]

I'm in Wheeling, the northern part of the state.