In Eli Clare’s autobiography, Exile and Pride, Clare explores the intersectionality between class and sexuality. During this exploration, Clare discusses the narrative between rural versus urban communities, especially how rural communities are typically associated with rednecks, which are then associated with homophobia, bigotry, and so on; whereas, urban communities are associated with open-mindedness, the cultural salad bowl metaphor, and queer enclaves. This idea is summarized in metronormativity. While, on occasion, these stereotypes can be proven true, it is never good to generalize and assume based off what you have heard, rather than what you have experienced.
I grew in a very similar socioeconomic status to Clare. Both of my parents have worked their whole lives, and we have always straddled the line between lower and middle class. I also grew up in a rural community; a cow farm, to be more specific. Location is one of the most important factors in determining one’s socioeconomic status, and living in a rural area often coincides with being lower or lower-middle class. That being said, urban areas typically consist of those in the middle- and upper-class. Besides the obvious difference in land use in rural and urban communities, the concentration of wealth in urban areas and lack thereof in rural areas must be addressed. While it’s true that money can’t buy happiness, according to the cliché, it can buy accessibility to education, healthcare, and more. A lack of accessibility is at the root of the villainization of rural communities, and we as a society must learn to share and spread our resources equally if we ever hope for equality.
I really, really love this. I also grew up kind of middle-lower class and Florida where is was not the safest place — especially now with yknow… don’t say gay! I really liked the idea in class of metronormativity because it really opened my eyes to the word that I feel everyone chases. At least for me, I wish I could be 21 and in the clubs/bars with drag queens and other queer people. Focusing on the last part of your post, money does buy freedom and life essentially!!! It’s crazy how your lcoation does determine if you will be more successful than others in terms of basic needs and lower-level needs.
I like how you described Clare’s position on rurality and queerness, which cuts through the often underlying beleif that urban=good and rural=bad (or “metronormativity”). Reality, as Clare describes, is not so clear-cut and what is often disguised as a judgement on differing viewpoints between urban and rural communities is actually a reflection on class differences between them. The generalization that urban=good and rural=bad, though common, further alienates queer people and communities in rural areas.