Have You Ever Felt Like the Only Queer Person in the Desert?
I remember that first summer in Yuma - 120 degrees, sun blazing overhead, and me, clutching an iced coffee while scanning the local coffee shop for any sign of queer life. The barista with the side shave and pronoun pin became my beacon of hope in what felt like a very straight landscape.
Finding My Oasis in the Desert
Making a home in Yuma as a queer person meant creating space where there wasn't one before. Weekend trips to the Colorado River became my sanctuary - I'd bring books with LGBTQ+ themes and sit under the cottonwoods, occasionally catching knowing glances from others who recognized what I was reading.
When Desert Life Gets Lonely
The challenges here are real:
- Limited queer-specific gathering spaces
- Dating apps that show profiles from 100+ miles away
- Well-meaning but clueless questions from neighbors
- The exhaustion of being both visible and invisible simultaneously
Creating Your Own Shade
What I've learned about thriving here:
- Connect with the Yuma Pride organization - they host monthly meetups!
- Make friends with allies first, who often connect you with other queer folks
- Visit Phoenix occasionally to recharge your queer batteries
- Start small traditions that attract like-minded people
You are not alone in this desert. There's a constellation of us scattered throughout Yuma, finding each other slowly but surely. The queer community here might be smaller, but it's mighty in its resilience.
Drop a comment about your experience as LGBTQ+ in smaller communities. Have you found creative ways to build community where you are? Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.