Hmmm, I've read your post, read the comments and read your responses to the comments.
Any group of people (on or offline) naturally gravitate towards those they feel some sort of connection/affinity with. It's just human nature. The longer one has been here, the more chance that many have read their posts and have become "friends" or at least follow them. So yeah, the old timers tend to have a larger more established presence and in a way are respected, even defended.
It's like going to a new job, a new school, a new town or country - it takes a while and effort to fit in and establish yourself as one of gang.
Give it some time, respond to posts, make some posts of your own and let your "colors" fly. People need to know you before they just accept you.
One sure way to not ever fit in is is to respond like an a$$ hat with a chip on your shoulder.
