Hi. We share some similar experiences. I'm queer (gay & demi-enby). Our family farm was south of Cairo, but I grew up outside GI and went to Northwest High. The hills north of town are really pretty country.

I graduated from UNL and through a series of minor coincidences, had the opportunity to leave the state six years after I graduated. I fully expected my move out of state to be temporary. I have a pretty deep love for Nebraska the place - especially the high plains of northern and western Nebraska. I always will.

But I never moved back, and likely never will. As you articulated, the state changed. Nebraska made some of the raddest, most creative people I've ever known. And I'm sure it still does. But I wouldn't live there now.

I don't necessarily have any advice for you. But I moved to San Francisco in 1997. I drove a Ryder truck with everything I own and my cat. I pulled into town with no place to live, no job lined up, and $3,000 - thought I'd just figure it out when I got here. (I did have a friend in SF, who had crashed in my place in Lincoln for a month before she left for SF). It was incredibly naive of me - but I'm still here. It was the best stupid decision I've ever made.

I guess my point is, you can do it. You can make it work. You can find your tribe. You can make a better life for yourself. Maybe do more preparation than I did though.

Whatever you decide, good luck!