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The SCA, like everything else in life, is different to different people. It can be an escape where you are more important than you are in real life. It might be an athletic event. It could also be the place where you met your significant other. It's different for everyone.

To me, finding the SCA was like finding the one place in the world where I belong. People listen to me when I talk. I was not accustomed to that. I live in the Southern US in a small town. Women are not treated as equals here, at least not by most men. The SCA is different.

People in the SCA are also much more open minded and liberal. There are many pagans and other non-Christians in the SCA. There are also many other minorities such as gays and lesbians. Most of the people don't discriminate in the SCA. It's a very open society.

There is also so much you can do. If there is something you enjoy doing, it was probably done during the Middle Ages and you can do it in the SCA. I enjoy sewing, cooking, gardening, archery, and music. I can participate in all of these activities within the structure of the SCA.

As far as how much you participate, that is up to you. There are some people who have found a name they like and a nationality and that is it. On the other end of the scale, there are people who have written elaborate life histories describing every day life down to the smallest detail. So, in that respect, you can participate as much or as little as you like.

So, to sum it all up, to me the SCA is a group in which everyone can be comfortable and have a great time. The only requirement to attend an event is an attempt at pre-17th century clothing. That's it. And, believe me, I've seen some pretty liberal interpretations of an "attempt" to comply with this rule.

Learn more about this author, Cheryl Dennett.
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