Are you a lesbian? Are you from the United States South? If you are then my next project is for you. I want to know what the general perception is of the South, from its current and former lesbian residents. The South is known for many things, and yes, some of those things are good. There is much history and historical/national relevance here. But it is also known for its flaws, namely its civil rights obstructions. As the South progresses on this front and attempts to catch up to the justices observed in much of the rest of the country, it still is marred with its negative image.
I am one of these holders of such a negative image of my region. I realize this any time I need to travel in the South, especially by car. The rural parts of any of these states is frightening and uncomfortable, with a plethora of churches of all denominations, monstrous building which promise truth and hope, but really shout angry negative threatening rhetoric. There is also the lack of education and resources, lack of connection with other peoples and cultures, and the lost-in-time historical mindset which keeps the region and its inhabitants behind the times and without the necessary progress to make its native lesbian residents feel at home.
As I complain about the region and my negative perception of it, I wonder how other native lesbians feel about the region. I am interested to know how this perception of your home region has affected your life decisions, your investment and dedication to the region, your politics, and your descendant families. Did you leave the region? How much of that decision was related to your mistrust of the government and residents of the region to protect and support you as any citizen? If you left for another reason did your dislike for the region assist the ease of leaving?
Or did you stay? If you stayed, how did you make your home? Did you ignore the negative image of your lifestyle or did you find a safe city in the region?
The idea here is to understand how those lesbians who stayed and those who left see their native region. Has it improved in the past decades? Is it still a negative feeling to go back? Are there negative experiences that you will always associate with the region? If so, do any of the progressive steps from the past few years, affect your opinion of the place you once called home?
I want to see if the South is actually improving on the surface, and if so, how long will it take for that shallow view to seep down into its inhabitants' minds. How many of the scars can fade and how many will be dark and menacing for much longer?
