Have You Ever Felt Like the Only Queer Person in West Haven?
I remember my first summer here, walking along the shoreline at Bradley Point Park, watching families gather for picnics while I wondered where my people were hiding. The Connecticut sun hit differently that day—beautiful but lonely.
Finding My Queer Family in a Small Connecticut City
West Haven has this charming New England character, but finding queer community felt like searching for seashells in winter—possible but requiring determination. After months of hesitation, I finally attended a small gathering at a local coffee shop near UNH. Six people showed up. It wasn't much, but it was everything.
The West Haven Queer Dilemma
Let's be honest about our challenges:
- Dating apps show the same 12 people within a 25-mile radius
- Explaining to dates from New Haven that West Haven is not the same place
- Finding safe spaces to be authentically ourselves
- Building community when everything seems centered in larger cities
Creating Your Queer Haven in West Haven
What's worked for me might work for you:
- Connect with UNH's LGBTQ+ groups (they welcome community members)
- Visit Pride events in neighboring towns—carpooling builds friendship
- Be the organizer you wish existed—my beach meetups started with just 3 people
- Embrace the small-town advantage of deep connections over quantity
Remember, feeling isolated isn't unique to you. We all search for belonging, especially in smaller communities like ours. Your queer experience here matters and adds to the tapestry of this shoreline city.
What's your West Haven story? Share below or message me to join our monthly gatherings. Sometimes family isn't what you find—it's what you build together.