Much love and good luck. I'm from Louisiana but I don't live down that way anymore. Been hearing a lot about what the local gov is up to recently though. Things are getting rough down there. Worried about you guys.

I don't want to up and tell you your home isn't safe for you, but I do advise keeping an eye open for opportunities elsewhere. There's a reason that it's difficult for you to find public LGBTQ+ groups down there. Don't get so tied down in the bayou that you're a sitting duck, know what I mean?

In the meantime, you're not going to be a fan of this advice, but discord is a good place to find communities. It's a long shot, but if you find a server you like with good folks in it you can ask around and see if someone knows someone who knows someone.

Good night, good luck 💜

is meetup.com an option?

Consider OPNSense as a more "free" feature-rich alternative to pfSense. Sorry I don't live near, good luck.

HI EMMA! 90's/80's kid to who likes linux. sadly i am in Florida. we can be online buddies though. I will see if i can get mbin.

Hopefully some better advice comes along that doesn't involve compromising your ideals, which is what I'm about to suggest.

It seems to me the most likely way to meet likeminded people is to find groups and events in your area. And you're going to have the most luck with those big privacy invading social media services. It sucks, yes. But it also increases your chances of creating local friendships.

Up to you if it's worth it or not, of course.

Same here. I'd love to do the same just to not surround myself in a hivemind of friends. South Mississippi

If by southeast Louisiana you mean in or near New Orleans, you should come check out practice for my rugby team, the Halfmoons! No sports experience of any kind required. I'm currently the only trans woman on the team, but we're a very queer group of women and truly they've become family to me.

EDIT: Also, Crescent Care in New Orleans is doing a "make trans friends" event thing next Tuesday, May 21, if you can make it out!

EDIT: There's also a new LGBTQ2IA+ community center in New Orleans that opened up last month, they seem to be starting monthly community meetups with free food. Looks like they post their events on their website so you don't have to go on any socials:

https://nolapridecenter.org/events/list/

Wish I were nearby! Also 80s/90s kid. Linux nerd, software dev. Love writing, art, music, cooking. I'm in Central FL. Scary af here and makes it really hard.

Hiya, I sent you a DM but the long and short of it is that I'm also in the southeastern Louisiana area and am queer and would be down to get more queer friends in the area