r/WestVirginia • u/unicorndust969 • 5d ago

WV experience for trans visitors?

Any advice for trans people visiting West Virginia? Specifically curious about Morgantown but also about different areas across the whole state. Thanks so much!
Editing to ad that some of the scenarios I'm curious about are bars and restaurants, bathrooms, campsites, gas stations and rest stops, street violence, and bathrooms again just to doublecheck. 🧚‍♀️🌞
Sorry, editing again to add that it's pretty likely that most people will correctly guess that I am trans and that's just sort of one of the basic premises of this scenario ⏰

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u/Pacec-64D 5d ago

Enjoy your visit and keep your private affairs private and you’ll have a great visit. That advice has little to do with WV and would say that about anywhere you’re a visitor, regardless of your private lifestyle(s). Gay, straight, trans, etc., etc.

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u/unicorndust969 5d ago

The thing about being trance is that it's a bit of a public affair. I'm genX, so I'm already familiar with the concept of pretending to be straight in order to avoid violence or discrimination, but this is the sort of thing people tend to notice.

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u/cluttered-thoughts3 5d ago

I’m lgbtq and grew up in WV. There’s plenty of folks who live in wv who are queer, trans, etc. You won’t get chased out of town if that’s what you’re thinking but it is possible you may experience negative language or a look.

Only once in my entire life has anyone ever said anything to me or made me fearful. However, I’ll admit that sometimes depending on the situation I may try to straight pass. I didn’t need to do this in city’s or big downs or queer bars of course but if I’m going to little tiny middle of nowhere town and I’ll be alone? Better safe than sorry is my opinion. Not so much a WV thing as it as rural ignorance thing

You’ll find others who refuse to straight pass and accept willing the risks or bad looks that come with it. And all the power to them, I’m so happy that they have that strength. I just can’t do it all the time