[atlantacrackers]

Have you ever visited? Talked to locals? You might be surprised how friendly people are IRL.

[munin]

I lived in Dallas and it is the only place I've lived where people would scream homophobic slurs at me in the street. I wouldn't say I'd never move back, but the situation would have to be dire for me to consider it. Definitely cut your hair if you visit.

[bsagdiyev]

That's not unique to Texas, just assholes. I've seen it here in San Diego while walking through Hillcrest.

[Aloha]

When did you move away? I've been visiting here on and off for a decade before I decided to move here, and I've never experienced this.

[ausjke]

Dallas is actually very liberal, it's a blue city, totally blue,

[megaframe]

People can be friendly to your face and still vote for and support laws and political leaders who want you out of their area or worse.

Look at how they fought gay marriage or how they treat Mexican-American's. There are pockets of safety in that state (Houston/Austin) but as a whole it's not that great.

I lived a number of years in Idaho which has the same problem. I'm "OK" in Boise (even there things can happen) but I'm genuinely concerned for my safety when I have to drive anywhere else in that state.