pt40fathoms once bubbled...
The first time I heard of DIR was on the Internet. The first divers I met who dove DIR style were the worst possible ambassadors to DIR or even diving.
You stated that you and your girl friend are the only ones in your area who are pursuing diving in the DIR style. So it would be safe to conclude that the LDS and all who work for the LDS have not had any exposure to DIR *yet*. If you are on good terms with the owners and employees of the LDS, it would be in *your* best interest to at least introduce DIR to them, and let them know that you intend on investigating and pursuing diving in this style.
Be friendly and open to the idea that not everyone will follow, just as not everyone will venture into caves or very deep waters. Most divers and dive shop owners who are approached this way will be curious and may even become supportive. They may not follow into diving in the Dir style, but they also will not become anti-DIR as many have. The reasons for the anti-DIR crowd all come back to how they were first exposed to it.
Good luck and Dive Safe