Finding My Rainbow in Azusa: A Queer Journey of Belonging
Have you ever felt like a colorful bird in a city that sometimes only sees in grayscale? That was me, three years ago, when I first moved to Azusa with nothing but two suitcases and a heart full of hope.
My Azusa Story
The San Gabriel Mountains became my backdrop as I navigated being visibly queer in a smaller California city. Those first months, I'd walk through Azusa's downtown, wondering if I'd ever find my people. The local coffee shop became my sanctuary—where the barista with rainbow pins would give me knowing smiles that felt like little lifelines.
When Being Yourself Feels Like Too Much
Let's be real about the challenges:
- Dating apps that show the same 10 people within a 30-mile radius
- The awkward "are they queer or just friendly?" dance at local events
- Having to drive to Pasadena or LA for queer-centered spaces
- Those moments of code-switching when you're not sure how "out" you can be
Creating Your Own Queer Magic
What I've learned is that we make the community we need:
- Start small—that monthly book club I began at the library now has 15 regular queer and allied members
- Seek out the inclusive faith communities (they exist!)
- Connect with Azusa Pacific students working toward campus change
- Be visible when safe—my pride keychain has started more meaningful conversations than you'd believe
Remember, your existence here matters. Every time you live authentically, you're creating space for someone else to do the same. The Azusa queer community isn't concentrated in one rainbow-flagged district—we're threaded throughout this city, making it more beautiful with our presence.
What's your Azusa experience? Share below and let's build this community conversation together. Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today. 💜