OpenPGP in Thunderbird

Evolution, which is what I need to use at work, is able to use data in ~/.gnupg. I like Thunderbird much better, but if I read and understand the responses, seems ~/.gnupg is off limits to Thunderbird.

I would rather not use multiple encryption methods, so will I see how this plays out once my home distro packages the new Thunderbird and will decide what to do then.