Support for LGBT in Rural Areas

Prisma · Jun 12, 2022

I guess what helps me is to see other people who have the bravery and self acceptance to be out.

Prisma · Jun 12, 2022

DucksandBees said: ↑

At the risk of reviving the old thread and making the post warning below angry, I live in a rural community. I learned I was a “queer” (which was my dads select term- that I chose to embrace) some 20 years ago. God that makes me feel old at 39. I had moved to the big city from a small town and realized that I wasn’t under anyone’s thumb anymore. That was it, all it took was moving away to discover myself. Though I wasn’t actually “out” until maybe 10 years ago, and even then not to family. Despite fitting all the stereotypes, I mean, minus the mullet. I’ve had short hair for most of my adult life, and often get “sir”-d in public. Mostly I shrug it off, but lately I’m bothered by it again. I’ve moved back to a rural community, and I admit that was my choice - I know to expect less acceptance. But I’ve never been the kind of person to proclaim anything on a bumper sticker - anything except my love of roller derby.
Today a woman sitting in the library parking lot exclaimed to another adult in her van that I must be one of those women who wants to be a man. At first I said nothing, but then felt compelled to reply no, just a woman. To which she hurriedly replied she didn’t know I could hear and was sorry. I know she isn’t sorry. It isn’t even a new occurrence for me. Tonight I’m bothered and not even sure why. Who cares what stereotype I fit, or what I wear or how I cut my hair? I guess I do. And I just want to be taken seriously, and respected and not jeered at, as the woman in the van obviously felt she was entitled to do. It makes me question, even at my age - how often others are thinking to themselves when they look at me - “how ridiculous.”
My partner (who has no stereotype when you look at her) - says that I should shout at people. Turn around and call them out and tell them where to go as frequently as possible. But that isn’t me and likely never will be. I don’t think it makes anyone see that they are being offensive. And there are those who would even prefer to be “sirred” if I can make that a word, and I understand that too. Though that isn’t me.
I’m not sure why I’m even posting this - I just feel unsettled by what people think it’s ok to say aloud - to any audience.
So to anyone who needs to hear it besides me - good night you beautiful people, you’re normal and you’re loved as you are. Tomorrow is a new day. Let’s make it good. You don’t have to be out or meet anyone’s expectations other than your own.
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I'm not sure about roller derby, need to check it out more...haha, but I absolutely love the song Skateaway by Dire Straits. Been thinking of roller skating for exercise in my neighborhood. Such a feeling of freedom.

Support for LGBT in Rural Areas

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Support for LGBT in Rural Areas

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