I drove across the US to meet people I disagree with – and learned how to look beyond labels

As a progressive, queer, Asian-American, I held stereotypical views about people on the other side'. My tour helped me realise that curiosity is a potent force for understanding

Oddly enough, it was an overwhelming amount of hate that set me off on a cross-country road trip across America. I wasn't taking a sabbatical to go into nature or working remotely in mountain-top forests. Instead, I spent 12 months living out of my retrofitted Prius, showering at Planet Fitness and meeting people who seemed different to me. Venturing out of the liberal stronghold of San Francisco, my journey on the road took me to places like a Trump rally in Minnesota and a convent with Catholic nuns and millennials.

I'm a progressive, queer, Asian-American guy who often dresses flamboyantly - my favourite outfit is a colourful floral jumpsuit. So you can imagine that when some of my friends heard about my plans, they said they were concerned for my safety. They asked me if I was going to bring a knife or pepper spray for protection. I'd be meeting people they deemed as the enemy", after all.