I honestly don't understand how this happened. I visited Australia in late 1968,and found practically everyone I met to be open-minded and intelligent.
One guy I met at the Australian Winternationals (drag race event) had a body shop and invited me to come work for him when I got out of the army,and even offered to let me live in his bodyshop until I could get on my feet. I seriously considered it,but both of my parents were elderly and sick,and I knew I needed to stay in the US so I could help them.