This is by no means to compete but to add, I'm an autistic adult and I don't feel welcome anywhere. Living in the bible belt. It's not the same, you have it harder, but even as a cis white dude, I can't find a place.
I agree with you, I gradually became more lurky because the interaction with others was terrible. I hated talking to people.
So far on beehaw it's been overwhelmingly positive, and my dumb questions didn't receive snarky remarks or vitriol. Sometimes, people just want to ask a question and create a discussion. That's mostly me, I'm sure I can find a lot of answers myself, and usually do, but every so often I just want to talk about something with someone, so I'll repeat a question which was asked 2 years ago.
Besides, asking the same question again could lead to a different discussion anyway. It's terrible to tell people to "just Google it". Yeah, they could do that, but its such a negative response. Could easily just say "Hey I found this link on Google, here you go. Try looking into x, y or z and include that in your future searches, let me know if you have any other questions"
Beehaw is for the people who want a safe, friendly place, no one's twisting your arm to be here. People here still have different views and people still argue. It just isn't vitriolic.
I usually set a time limit when I am going somewhere for that reason. I just let them know I can stay for 5 minutes, 30, an hour etc. I can't small talk, it gets awkward fast. It doesn't have to be awkward though, it's like that scene in Pulp Fiction:
Don't you hate that? Uncomfortable silences. Why do we feel it's necessary to yak about bull in order to be comfortable? That's when you know you've found somebody special. When you can just shut the f up for a minute and comfortably enjoy the silence.
This is by no means to compete but to add, I'm an autistic adult and I don't feel welcome anywhere. Living in the bible belt. It's not the same, you have it harder, but even as a cis white dude, I can't find a place.