Finding Your Rainbow in the Southern Sky: Is Being Queer in Alexandria Lonelier Than It Needs to Be?
I still remember that humid August evening when I first walked into that small coffee shop on Jackson Street, my heart pounding like it might break through my ribs. New to Alexandria after taking a job at the hospital, I wasn't just looking for caffeine – I was desperately searching for connection.
When Louisiana Feels Like Another Planet
For three months, my apartment had been my sanctuary and my prison. I'd scroll through dating apps seeing the same five profiles, wondering if I was the only queer person in Cenla who didn't hide behind a faceless profile or live 50+ miles away.
- The sideways glances at Walmart when wearing anything remotely rainbow
- The calculated pronoun-dropping when meeting new colleagues
- The exhausting mental math of deciding which parts of myself to reveal and when
Building Your Chosen Family Here IS Possible
What changed everything wasn't finding a secret gay bar (though Alexandria LGBT events do happen!). It was joining the community theater group where I finally met Morgan and Jaime, who introduced me to their monthly potluck gatherings.
- Look for intersectional spaces – bookstores, art collectives, volunteer groups
- Attend events in Lafayette or Shreveport when possible
- Create the space you wish existed – even if it starts tiny
Remember, queerness in smaller cities isn't about grand Pride parades. It's about those precious moments of recognition across a room, the relief in finding someone who understands without explanation.
What parts of your Alexandria experience resonate? Your story matters here – we build community one conversation at a time.