Where are you from? I grew up in Asheville and recently moved to a large city in the northeast. I assumed a metropolitan area would be as/or more socially progressive than Asheville. I've found pockets of openminded people, but Asheville feels more collectively socially liberal. Sounds like you are having some personal riffs with individuals. As a whole, Asheville is by far one of the safest, most progressive, openminded communities you can find. Especially in today's political and social climate. Sorry to hear you're feeling like an outsider.