<quote> That being said I've never felt hate here for being who I am. And I can say the same for virtually every where else I've been throughout my life, regardless of where or what context--with the exception of one place -- Santa Cruz, CA </quote>

I was going to say that I found this entirely improbable, until:

<quote>

If you want to feel hated, and I mean something on the verge of knowing some of the people hating you have lynch mob like ideas entering their mind, go walking down Pacific Ave in Downtown Santa Cruz as a "Mormon" (LDS) Missionary (I imagine it could be even worse now post Prop. 8). </quote>

Yea no shit. Try walking down Main Street urban USA in your white sheet and clan outfit an see what kind of reaction you get.

If people were hating on you, and I have no problem believing that you may have been followed, harassed and even threatened, it is not because of you as a human, but you as a representative of an oppressive, smug, petty, abusive and racist proselytizing space ship fantasy land thy wants to impose your particular lunacy on the rights of others.

So yea, I can believe that Santa Cruz would not be best pleased with you.

May e if you'd offered to smoke pot with people there...