Ruralgay.com shut down on January 28, 2004. I've been running Ruralgay.com for over 7 years, and in that time it has become an important online home for many of you - and it is with very mixed emotion that I decided to shutter the site.

When I started Ruralgay.com, the Internet was a "kinder, simpler place." Over the years, the technical and security issues to maintain an online community site have grown exponentially — and are just beyond what one person can do on a part-time basis. (I've written a more detailed explanation for those of you who are interested.) Earlier this month, the Ruralgay.com server was hacked again, this time with a very severe worm. (The hack, by the way, was not an anti-gay attack, but rather a random worm that exploited a database vulnerability.) For Ruralgay.com to continue, the server will have to be rebuilt — again. It seemed like this is the time to pull the plug. I've written a longer explanation of why I shut the site here. Please note that the hack did not compromise database security, and no credit card numbers are ever stored on the Ruralgay.com servers.

Thanks to all the folks who have sent wonderful emails since mid January when I announced this closing. It's been very touching to hear the role that Ruralgay.com has played in so many lives. My hope is that the spirit of Ruralgay.com will continue at other new homes on the internet.

Please read below for information on new gathering places for Ruralgay.com folks and getting a refund on your paid membership.

New Gathering Places:

I've set up a group, ruralgay, at Yahoo Groups, that provides chat, personal profiles, an email list and other features so Ruralgay.com folks can keep together. The group can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ruralgay/ Yahoo Groups is free. Yahoo Chat, however, is Java-based, and unfortunately not accessible to webtv users.

Leatherwolf has set up a channel on the efnet IRC network, for folks that would like chat over IRC, including webtv users. I've posted information on how to make that connection here. The IRC network address is irc.efnet.us and the channel to join is #ruralgay

Other Links:

• High Mountain Ranch. Tim's "Tales from the Road", the annual Ranch gathering, and lots of good info for gay truckers, cowboys and rural types.
• International Gay Rodeo Association

Membership Refunds

I will refund the membership dues on a pro-rated basis for anyone who has purchased a membership. Unfortunately, because of the way iBill works, I can't provide pro-rated refunds to your credit card.

To receive a refund, email me at davidk@ruralgay.com your membership user name (not your chat handle, but the user name you sign into the personal ads with), the email address you used when setting up your membership (if its different than your current email address) and your full name and mailing address. I'll send you a check for the remaining part of your membership. The check will be from "Beechwoods Media" and will not have any reference to Ruralgay.com.