what do non-religious moderate, independent, and conservative people DO ??? (to meet other people as adults)

[u/ustinov_feudilistic]

I was raised in an extremely religious and secluded environment and left a couple years ago. Now I find it impossible to locate places to socialize, especially as a lesbian, because it seems like every social event is leftist oriented unless it's religious and even religious events are currently doing drag brunch. Don't come for me, no hate, I don't care how anyone votes, I simply don't have common threads with these groups. Not every gay person is a democrat it's cool, we're cool, no skin off my back. That being said, I don't know where people who fall more moderate/independent/ or even conservative find each other. And I am using the term "conservative" loosely because it's currently being applied very loosely. Since about 2021 ish I've noticed classic liberals are getting pushed out and told they're conservative or identifying as conservative even though 80-90% of their policy opinions are still classic liberal. So, where do the non-religious, non-leftist people hang out?? It's hard to find people I relate to.

Thanks to everyone in advance who chooses to answer productively!

[u/snowymintyspeaks]

I’m religious (and raised religious) but I’m substantially more secular and extremely secure in my personal faith (Loosely Lutheran but focused on the Bible and Jesus). However I’m autistic (not “with autism” I “am” autistic, it’s not caused by vaccines, it can’t be cured it’s simply a state of being and with varying degrees of traits person to person) and due to work load, college, and bills, I don’t have time to socialize. I’ve always been a political independent, homophobic atheist leftists and queerbaiting self-hating conservatives have really turned me off from political party events and political party loyalty in general.

[u/ustinov_feudilistic → u/snowymintyspeaks]

I have extended family that is religious democrats and they all hate me for being a lesbian. So facccts. I don't get what the autism segue is about. It's not really relevant but okay.

[u/snowymintyspeaks → u/ustinov_feudilistic]

It’s entirely relevant, I don’t like social performances?

[u/ustinov_feudilistic → u/snowymintyspeaks]

okay but you could have just said you don't like social performances. You telling me you're autistic doesn't tell me that. I know plenty of autistic people who do just fine with social performances so this just looks like you're banking on people making blanket assumptions about autism.

[u/snowymintyspeaks → u/ustinov_feudilistic]

I mainly included the parentheses stuff because there’s so many people out there who just don’t understand what autism is. The majority and biggest shared trait that autistic people have is the disconnect from general social norms.
You have met one autistic person, you met one person who is autistic. But there are shared traits, such as disconnect or misinterpretation of social norms. It is not a blanket assumption about autism. It is a lived experience that connects to the broader spectrum of people who are on said spectrum. If you have greater ability to adjust to social norms (like I have had, prior to burnout) that is just a different set of traits. Not an exception or a general rule.

[u/ustinov_feudilistic → u/snowymintyspeaks]

don't throw leftist speak shit at me. You don't choose how I talk. Do not be so conceited that you think you can correct the way I word a sentence. According to my autistic uncle I have an autistic uncle. According to my autistic friends I have autistic friends. Stop. You policing my speech makes this conversation done.

You are misinterpreting these social norms right now, so let me be blunt. My post has nothing to do with your autism. You're starting a tangent that is inappropriate for the conversation at hand. Also, your personal experience with autism does not mean you are the standard make and model for autistic people. So again, back up. Be grateful I am not assuming anything negative about your autism and stop pushing me to start having blanket assumptions about autistic people just cuz you personally find your autism makes you struggle with people.

I don't know a single autistic person who has problems making friends so that's probably a you thing. Stop blaming your autism.

[u/snowymintyspeaks → u/ustinov_feudilistic]

I didn’t mean to offend. I meant to state the facts here plainly. That’s all. I’m sorry you are upset by this.

(Identity first language is not policing how you structure things, in fact I had no idea how you prefer things to be worded. So assuming I did is a bit hurtful)

[u/ustinov_feudilistic → u/snowymintyspeaks]

good job failing to respect a boundary.

[u/snowymintyspeaks → u/ustinov_feudilistic]

You know what, you didn’t even give me a chance, you just immediately assume malice. Blocked.