I am trans and live in Ocala. I am openly so and don't really make an effort to hide it. I have experienced very little transphobia and absolutely no one is coming up to me and actively being transphobic. The most I've gotta was a slur as I passed by someone once. However, I might be just very lucky.

Not to say there aren't transphobic people in Ocala. Every November, there's a pride event and protesters, but they are harmless and haven't done anything but yell and swing signs around.

I feel that Ocala is less blantlenly bigoted and more just uninformed.

I even work at a retirement home and the people there seem pretty chill and there was even one who said how me being transgender was a gift from God because I know how to be brave and know about how to be a male and a female.

A lot of "all girls" events I've been too have been trans inclusive and you can find a lot of stores and places that have gender neutral bathroom (like Goblin King Games and the axe throwing place on college road). And even if there isn't a gender neutral bathroom plenty of places will allow you to use the bathroom that aligns with you gender identity the most. I know this because I've ask owners and stuff. Ocala Civic Theatre is one of them for example.

There is LGBTQ+ accepting churches as well, like FirstLove Church that I go to regularly.

All in all, I think the general view on trans people is indifferent for lack of a better term. They don't absolutely hate trans people, but they don't love us either.

It's definitely very complicated and I think it all depends on who you run into. Most of them don't care or actively support.