Oh Chris sorry that this is happening to you!
In my area of So California, men are treated wonderfully, the quilt guilds love to have men join. We've had a few who were guest speakers and their quilting is outstanding. Including Don Beld, who loves to make civil war reproduction quilts and he hand quilts!
http://www.citrusbeltquilters.org/hotb/homebrave.html
There are so many renown men quilters throughout the US, and one day YOU may be among them!
Hang in there, do some online searches, maybe find a welcoming quilt guild in your area.
warm quilt hugs, sue in CA