For as long as I felt possible, I put off making the decision to leave behind my life in San Diego and return to my hometown to quarantine myself. For about a week after the UC San Diego administration announced their transition to online courses for Spring Quarter in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, I ignored my family’s pleas for me to return, convincing myself that the world would still function “business as usual.” The decision to move back to my hometown was a hard one to make, albeit the right choice. However, since making the move, I have found myself back in a close-minded, Midwestern city. This change in environment has conjured up so many memories as to why I ever left in the first place. I understand the privilege that I have to even be able to leave campus during this pandemic, and I am truly grateful to have a loving family to come back to and to have the security that comes with having a roof over my head. For those who do not have this option, I truly empathize with you. This column simply reflects my thoughts on returning to a close-minded city that I, as a gay person, left with no intention of returning to.