For kids, the OP had point 3: "The solution for getting together with friends when you have small kids is other people with kids the same age who can play together."

What he forgot to mention was point 3a: "The solution, when you have kids, for dealing with friends who have no kids, is to kick their asses out of your friends network". It's closely related to point 3b: "The solution, when you're married, for dealing with friends who stay perpetually single, is to kick their asses out of your friends network".

Note, I'm not promoting this behavior, I'm just pointing out, from observation, that this is how people behave.

My experience, as someone who has no kids and is unlikely to have any, is that the only way to socialize is to move into a big city where there's a bunch of other ~35-45+yo people with no kids. Otherwise, you're going to be a very lonely person, because you simply will not fit into any other social group.

"is that the only way to socialize is to move into a big city where there's a bunch of other ~35-45+yo people with no kids" - or you could find / join a group with similar interests. A local LUG, sports group, music... whatever floats your boat. For example, I have found it pretty easy to make new friends through mountain biking and track building in my new area.

It's a bit worse when you're trans and come from the Bible belt (moved to Minneapolis for better opportunities). Both of those seem to make a bit of an outcast even among the LGBT community (seems any hint of social conservative values is frowned upon around here).

Ok, I gotta ask: how can you be both trans and even a little bit socially conservative? Economically conservative, sure (Log Cabin Republicans do exist after all), but socially? Social conservatism these days seems to center on being anti-gay, with a big dose of evangelicalism, so I can't imagine how you can support that and be trans.

1. I oppose drug use (don't support drug laws, though).

2. I oppose sex outside of marriage.

3. I do believe in some concept of a God (not necessarily Christian).

4. I oppose most "social justice" movements.

So, yeah I think I'm fairly conservative. I think 2 and 4 are what get the most flak in the LGBT community, especially 4 since all I support is non-discrimination laws like ENDA and anything beyond that is redundant. For example, I think badgering someone like Brendan Eich for being a devout Mormon and putting some of his private funds into a pro-Prop-8 PAC is stupid. Basically, all social justice stuff and "call-outs" are pointless when the real issue is how the State and corporate actors are allowed to behave under the law. I don't care if Eich thinks I'm going to Hell. All I care about is will he conform to the law when it doesn't favor him in discrimination? Beyond that, I don't care as to his personal values. So, I get lots of static for that particular view point.

Let's not downvote a guy for asking what appears to be an honest question. I'm curious about this too. I suspect the question comes from a different interpretation of what 'social conservative values' means, so an explanation would be valuable.