@GJCoyne Thanks for the comments, mate! "The Girls"...I love it too! We really have amazing neighbours here, it's a lovely community. Just goes to show that stereotypes can go both ways...I judged my neighbours before I knew them (the whole "backward country folk" thing), and they turned out to be fantastic.

@sleekcartim I don't think my story is unusual, no...that's the great thing, actually...this project is proving that for many, many, MANY of it, it DOES get better; it's the norm, not the exception :-)

Oh those friendly, open-minded, genuine people! Bless them! Thank you for sharing how things have gone in your life. This is strong empowering stuff. "The Girls" about town - I love it! You lovely lesbian people :) Solidarity from a straight English guy.

your story is not unusual, proving again, things do get better. better living is the best revenge 1 LIFE

@sensoriussupremus Thanks :-) I think one of the things that helped me find these "cool people" was that I changed my own attitude a bit. Being sullen and unwelcoming as I'd been in high school doesn't help attract the kind of people you want to have around you. I had to retrain myself to take chances and be more open with others. If that doesn't work, then moving can help a lot, lol.

@TheMerryKate: Glad my voice reached somebody :-) I hope things are brighter for you today too. Hugs!