Yeah, I’m sad that as a queer person I feel unsafe visiting the deep south because I’d love to see more of the country, especially those areas you discuss. When I lived in Kentucky I developed a complex relationship with Appalachia that includes some love for it.

Fundamentally, I also just think it’s tactically foolish to say that we don’t want the cultures of red states to join us on the left. We don’t dislike these places for the things worth loving about them like their food, their general ways of doing things, etc. We would gladly stand side by side with an inclusive, labor protecting Mississippi. Even Texas which is as annoying as California would be welcome in a blue coalition without having to give up its Texaseyness