Finding Our Rainbow in Pomona: A Queer Journey of Connection
Have you ever felt like your identity was both your superpower and your kryptonite? That's exactly how I felt when I first moved to Pomona as an openly queer person three years ago.
My Pomona Beginning
The first time I wandered through the Pomona Arts Colony, I was struck by the vibrant murals and the diversity of faces around me. Yet beneath this colorful exterior, I still felt invisible. Nobody could tell I was queer just by looking, and I found myself constantly making mental calculations about when and how to come out in each new interaction.
The Struggle Is Real
Finding community here comes with its challenges:
- The dating pool feels simultaneously too small and overwhelming
- Making queer friends often means traveling to neighboring cities
- Navigating spaces where you're unsure if you'll be welcomed
- That constant internal question: Am I queer enough? Or sometimes, am I too queer for this space?
Finding Your People
What ultimately changed everything was realizing I didn't need to wait for community—I could help create it. Here's what worked:
- The monthly mixer at dA Center for the Arts became my anchor
- I found chosen family at the Pomona Pride Center
- Creating small gatherings in my apartment built intimate connections
Remember, your queerness isn't just something to be accommodated—it's a gift to be celebrated. You deserve spaces that light you up, not drain you.
Who else is navigating queer life in Pomona? Share your favorite safe spaces or how you found your people. Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.