On YouTube, a man asked another American, "Are you gay?" and the reply was, "I'm from Idaho."

Thinking about what that means, it's not simply saying, "I'm from Idaho."

There's a nuance in that statement implying, "The question of whether I'm gay is far from me."

Idaho is known as a very conservative state in the U.S.

Among the early settlers of Idaho, there were quite a few Irish immigrants. Especially during the gold rush of the 1860s, many Irish miners flocked to the mining towns in Idaho.

They primarily worked in railroad construction and mining, laying the foundation for the local economy. At that time, Idaho was famous for its rugged terrain and harsh natural environment, so the strong and community-minded Irish workers played a significant role.

They also established churches centered around Catholic faith and settled in the community, spreading religious networks and family-centered culture. They farmed and raised livestock along the rugged mountainous areas and rivers, leading a community-centered life.

The family-based self-sufficiency culture was strong, and churches and schools played a central role in the towns. The attitude of living simply and diligently in nature remains part of Idahoans' values today.

Currently, Idaho is politically dominated by Republican supporters, and with strong traditional family values and a religious atmosphere, people generally lead quiet and practical lives.

Thus, saying, "I'm from Idaho" can be interpreted as, "I'm somewhat different from that culture."

Americans often infer each other's tendencies through such regional images. For example, saying, "I'm from Texas" evokes a masculine image, while saying, "I'm from California" brings to mind a free and open disposition. Idaho is seen as a 'symbol of conservatism' among these.

In fact, even after same-sex marriage became legal in Idaho, many people still opposed it, and laws related to LGBTQ+ rights were slow to emerge.

In this environment, the response, "I'm from Idaho" can be seen as a witty defensive remark implying, "That question doesn't suit me."

Idaho is quite conservative in the U.S., but nowadays, cities like Boise are seeing a gradual change among the younger generation. Still, overall, the state maintains a strong traditional value atmosphere.

When someone is too traditional or stubborn, it's often joked, "You must be from Idaho?" and people might say, "I'm from Idaho" to mean, 'I don't get swept up in trends or atmospheres.'

It seems that many Koreans are not well aware of Idaho. It's good to remember it as one of the conservative areas in the U.S.