06-04-2014, 03:49 PM
Not where I live. I recently moved from Washington DC to Lexington, Kentucky. While I have been out for many years, I have always been a bit circumspect depending on the circumstances. Since moving, I decided that (1) I'm married, (2) I'm old, (3) I expect people not to treat me any differently than they would a similarly situated straight person, and (4) while the place is more behind the times, I personally don't want to go backwards. So I have been much more straightforward - no more unspecific "partner" or coy "spouse" in conversation, I say "husband/he." Which really, isn't any different than now straight people present. I have had a few occasional um/ur/hurp/durp initial responses, but everyone has recovered quickly. I expect to be treated a certain way, and for the most part by just acting normal I am getting it.
So no, in this part of the American south, it is not more difficult to be gay and open.
So no, in this part of the American south, it is not more difficult to be gay and open.