Finding My Rainbow in Fort Myers: A Queer Journey to Belonging
Have you ever felt like a sea shell on the wrong beach? That was me five years ago when I first moved to Fort Myers as an openly queer person, wondering if I'd ever truly belong in this coastal Florida town.
My Fort Myers Story
I still remember that first summer evening strolling down McGregor Boulevard, palm trees swaying above me while I battled an internal hurricane of doubt. Southwest Florida wasn't exactly known as a queer mecca, and I worried I'd made a terrible mistake. But then I stumbled upon a tiny rainbow flag in the window of a local café, and inside found what would become my chosen family.
The Struggles We Share
Let's be real about some challenges many of us face here:
- Dating apps that seem to have more visitors than locals
- Well-meaning but clueless questions from neighbors about your "roommate"
- Finding queer-friendly healthcare providers who truly understand
- The isolation that comes from invisible identities in public spaces
Finding Your People
What worked for me might work for you too:
- Check out PRIDE Cape Coral's monthly meetups
- Visit Tubby's City Hangout on Hendry Street
- Join Fort Myers LGBTQ+ community groups on social platforms
- Create the space you wish existed—I started a queer book club that now has 27 members!
Remember, your queerness doesn't diminish in places with fewer rainbows. Sometimes it shines even brighter against a backdrop that needs your unique light.
How did you find your community here? Or are you still searching? Your story matters, and someone reading this might be holding the missing piece to your puzzle—or you to theirs.