Hey I just wanted to say as a Pansexual who grew up in TX I really want to thank you for breaking the stereotype of Texans as intolerant pieces of shit. I can’t tell you how many strange comments/looks/insults I get saying that I swing to the left and I was raised in Texas.
Hey I'm sorry it took me longer to answer this. Recently I was kicked out of my father's house for trans reasons and so my ability to focus on things that emotionally meant a lot to me was obviously low. And this topic of being a proud queer person in a place that doesn't always accept you, surrounded by "allies" who also often don't accept you - is something very dear to me. And I just want you to know your message was seen and greatly appreciated. 💙🌈
I will say that the stereotype of southerners being ignorant and intolerant bugs me as well because it's often based on classism and glossing over demographics (southern parts of the US are some of the most racially diverse). It feels like people who say this are trying to say "oh you poor dear. I'm not sure how you stand it there." When in reality it comes across as "you don't fit my view of what people in this region are like so you must not belong there." Or the even worse: "you must be crazy to have any pride about being from there because its a place that has no worth."
Texas admittedly ranked low overall as a place for lgbt+ folks. But meanwhile places like Austin rank really high in the nation. Its that human nuance that people really have to start looking for. The nuance gives hope, instead of stark pessimism.
I actually wanted to mention that I went to a conference recently for the North American Prairie Association, and got to hear for a second time: the famous lecture from Dr. Dwayne Estes. A premier scientist and conservationist for the world-unique Southeastern Grasslands. Less than 1% of which remains...
He was a "stereotypical" white, bearded, baseball cap wearing southerner and had the deepest Southern - "hog tie'n" - accent I have ever heard from any scientist down here. And he was talking about how prserving these grasslands also preserves the heritage that the native groups there have lost to white settlement.
I think people not from the south won't see all the people in it, and all the effort a lot of us are trying to put in. We need help - not ridicule. And aaaaaargh!....I'm sorry you get strange looks and comments for saying you're a Texan and a leftist. It really bothers me how many "allies" to progressive causes will look down on others trying to work for the exact same things.
And again. Thanks for your message 😊🌈💙
