Finding Your Rainbow in Colton: A Queer Journey That Feels Like Home
Have you ever walked through Colton's streets wondering if your identity would ever feel celebrated here, not just tolerated?
My Colton Story
When I moved to Colton three years ago, the Santa Ana winds weren't the only thing that made me feel unsettled. I remember sitting alone at Fleming Park, watching families and wondering where my people were. The first breakthrough came at the most unexpected place—the tiny local library where a kind librarian directed me to their newly formed LGBTQ+ book club.
The Dating Desert Reality
Let's be honest about something many of us experience:
- Dating apps show the same 10 people within a 50-mile radius
- Coffee shops where you're never quite sure if that person is flirting or just friendly
- Community events that aren't explicitly queer-affirming
- The exhausting drive to Riverside or LA for any sense of queer community
Creating Your Queer Oasis
Here's what actually worked for me:
- Join regional groups rather than just Colton-specific ones
- Create what you wish existed (my monthly picnic gathering started with just 3 people!)
- Connect with allies at Colton High School's GSA program as a volunteer
- Find online community specific to Inland Empire queer folks
Remember, your queerness doesn't need big city lights to shine. Sometimes it's in smaller communities like ours where the most meaningful connections happen.
What's your Colton experience? Share below and let's build our rainbow map together!