I’ve lived in many places in Europe and currently am in a small city in the Netherlands. I’ve also lived in a village in the Bible belt here.

I am not afraid of confrontations, and so far I’ve been able to handle them. But this is only with a specific kind of frustrated person. Most people are kind.

About half are supportive, and people even keep up to me in public to tell me about their support.

The other half is kind but will misgender me and deadname me if they know it. I’ve stopped caring and just don’t become friends with them. Of course it always has an impact and it can create a lot of pain.