Explaining Why I'm Leaving WP

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I didn't really think that I'd make an actual post about this, but I thought that I should try to explain why I don't feel comfortable using WP anymore, especially to the people that have become my friends and acquaintances on here.

As someone whose autistic, I come on to WP to interact with people that are more like me, and to get a chance to feel "understood" by other people for once. It's important to me to have somewhere where I don't have to constantly explain or mask myself, and to get to socialize without all of the anxiety that other sites + IRL interactions give me.

Though, as a trans person, it does ruin my experience on WP to feel like I'm still expected to constantly explain and validate myself, one of the things I come on here to not have to do, sometimes to people who don't even want to listen to or understand me.

Additionally, it can be degrading to see people like me being treated like a pawn in the constant political arguments on here, as if trans people and any topics regarding us have no depth other than being associated with "political correctness", "wokeness", and whatever other buzzwords people on here use, including the fact that our worth seems to be conflated with how much people either "agree" or "disagree" with those topics.

It seems to also be easy to say that I should just "ignore" those things, and I tried to do so for quite awhile, but when the same arguments happen over and over again, and people need to explain the same things over and over again, especially to the same people, it becomes apparent that these issues are more than just a "misunderstanding" or people being "uneducated", and more so a blatant refusal to understand people like me, or sometimes even accept that people like me understand ourselves.

I've gotten enough of that type of treatment from NT people who don't want to understand me and my issues as an autistic person, the same type of treatment that negatively affects me and many other people that I've met on here. That's why I don't feel comfortable using WP anymore, as I can't continue to allow myself to use a website meant for autistic people that makes me feel that way.

Now that I've attempted to explain myself I'm going to go through with my "exit" from WP, though I will occasionally log on for a couple days to check my PMs and see if anyone's trying to stay in touch with me.

Sorry to hear you're leaving.

I also relate to what you say a lot. I come here with the hope that i will be understood a little, unlike in real life.

I thought that since autistic people know what being ostracized feels like they would be more open minded in general than regular people too. But this isn't always the case here. I think it's true that autistic people and neurotypicals aren't so different after all in some areas. Conforming is necessary in every kind of community, but of course not to the detriment of your mental health.

Again, i am sorry to hear you go, you seem like a very nice and friendly person. I hope you have better experiences in the future.

Sorry to see you go, HeroOfHyrule. I hope you find the acceptance you're looking for.

Sorry you're leaving. I enjoyed your posts and since I generally don't participate in the political discussions I will say I appreciated your insight and entertaining posts/topics in the other forums. Wishing you well on your future endeavours.

Wish you would stay.

It's a sad day when human beings aren't respected for being human beings.

Hero's need to feel welcome, valid, and most importantly comfortable, was compromised on a site that endeavours to accommodate differences without judgement or attack.

We've lost a dear friend and someone with extraordinary leadership potential for this site and elsewhere.

I'll miss you a lot, Hero. You were an inspiration to me from Day 1 because you're sincere and genuine.

Best wishes from me, my daughter, and all our pets

^Well said! It's unfortunate that the ugly nature of politics has created an environment where those seeking refuge from a world that is often hostile to their quirks and differences is so toxic. This has been a problem here for a long time. It's cost the community some very valuable voices.

Sorry to hear you are leaving. It appears that you will be missed by members and Wrong Planet.

It's a shame that the hostility is almost accepted as a tolerable default and any criticisms are dismissed as 'woke'. People insist that their right to espouse hateful views must be protected because only a decade or two ago questioning their views was unthinkable but their views are still the problem and have always been a problem.

And that's a fact that doesn't care about bigots delicate feelings.

Reasons to stay, IMO, just to be a thorn in their sides and shout at them that you exist and are just as valid as anyone else - if not more so for the extra effort you have to put into life - regardless of whatever their particular brand of discriminatory politics makes them believe.

Further to that, I don't read every thread on the forum and I don't even come here daily - sometimes not for a while depending on how busy I am with work and life - BUT - I have several trans friends/acquaintances and am Also on the LGBT spectrum, soooo, if you notice some harsh bs that needs more than your voice to counter - feel free to pm me a link to the thread and I'd be happy to chime in and correct people on their stupidity.

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No for supporting trump. Because doing so is deplorable.

Just stick around, avoid posting in the PPR or L&D, and if anyone gives you any trouble then report it or tell a mod. They're usually very good at sorting out unfair insults and things like that.

You can't really stop people from not understanding or even agreeing to transgender but as long as they're not upsetting you or saying nasty things about transgender people then it should be OK.

I'd like to thank you guys for being understanding of my situation. I would really like to stay and continue to interact with people on here, and maybe eventually I'll come back, though I think that'll take some time and maybe some changes before I'd feel comfortable doing that.

Wow Brother H of H, this took me entirely by surprise.
You're a good WP member who will always be welcomed whenever you want.

I also hope you will also find what you want in your life.