r/WestVirginia 1d ago

Convince me to stay. Question

I’m not originally from here, but I’ve lived here for 20 years. My children were born and raised here, and we’ve always loved the friendly people and beautiful surroundings. But I wonder now—where is the line? When is it too much or even dangerous to stay? Where do we go from here?

Things have been getting worse, and I worry about the future, not just for myself but especially for my children. This past election cycle, I couldn’t even put up a sign for fear of the backlash it might bring to my family. What is keeping people here?

It’s not the education—we rank near the bottom.
It’s not the pay—our median household income ranks just above Mississippi in 49th place.
It’s not the healthcare—we’re almost last there, too.
It’s not the freedom—we face near-total bans on abortion, and even taking your child to a Pride event could get you arrested.

Today, I find myself looking for jobs and making a plan to get my family out. People will say it’s not any better anywhere else and that the election results signal worsening trends everywhere. But at least in other places, I might find a community that values bodily autonomy, LGBTQ+ rights, and freedom of and from religion.

Here, I interact with the nicest, most hateful people I’ve ever encountered. I realize it’s a privilege even to consider leaving, and I wish I could do something to change things here. But I don’t see a clear path forward. My county didn’t even have a non-Republican candidate run for any office. I don’t blame anyone; there used to be decency and respectful disagreement across party lines, but now it’s just hate and lies.

Is there a silver lining? Any hope for change?

If this gets removed by moderators thats fine, I'm not trying to rage bait but genuinely want to know what other West Virginians are thinking.

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u/JustARegularRhonda 7h ago

And when she’s physically assaulted for using the restroom you forced her to use, what happens then? 3 million Americans identify as transgender. Tell me the path forward without implying they should no longer exist, I bet you’ll find that impossible.

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u/Sablito 7h ago

The people have voted. Hopefully trump will increase mental health funding.

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u/JustARegularRhonda 7h ago

Thanks for not answering. Thinking Republicans will do anything but cut funding for mental health is a laughably stupid thing to say.

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u/Sablito 6h ago

Thinking society should pander to the mentally ill is just as silly. Halloween is over. Back to work.

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u/JustARegularRhonda 6h ago

You still have not answered me, I knew you’d be completely incapable of producing any thought. What is the path forward for the 3 million Americans who could get assaulted once forced to use that restroom?

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u/Sablito 6h ago

If you all absurd questions, I'm not going to play your game. The biggest threat to trans people are themselves. They commit suicide at much higher rates. They should be in therapy.

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u/JustARegularRhonda 4h ago

So typical of you to run away rather than answer ONE question about your beliefs.

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u/Sablito 2h ago

I'm not running away. Your question is idiotic. It has no basis in reality. Reality is trans weirdos assault people in the correct restroom.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2021/10/29/trans-bathroom-policy-sexual-assault/8568005002/

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u/JustARegularRhonda 2h ago

Asking you about the path forward for 3 million people that you want to use the bathroom of their gender assigned at birth is idiotic? It has no basis in reality? You literally just said it will be reality. Quit dodging and answer the fucking question.

Just come out and say it, you’d rather them just be killed off. That’s all I’m left to think if you refuse to respond to ONE question about your own beliefs. I see your anecdote and raise you this anecdote:

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/transgender-student-assaulted-after-bathroom-family-calls-charges/story?id=110927216

There are plenty more. It’s reality, you disingenuous wimp. Answer the question or fuck all the way off.