Finding Queer Joy in the Berkshires: My Pittsfield Story
Have you ever felt like the only rainbow fish in a very small pond? That was me four years ago when I first moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts—a small city with a big heart that I wasn't sure had room for someone like me.
My Berkshire Beginnings
I still remember that first winter here, trudging through snow on North Street, wondering if I'd made a terrible mistake leaving Boston behind. The Berkshires were beautiful, yes, but where were my people? Then I stumbled into that tiny bookstore near the Colonial Theatre, where a pride flag hung discreetly in the window, and everything changed.
When Community Feels Hidden
The struggle in smaller cities like Pittsfield is real:
- Dating apps show the same 12 people within a 50-mile radius
- Community spaces aren't always visibly queer-friendly
- That constant coming-out cycle with new acquaintances gets exhausting
- Winter isolation hits differently when you're already feeling marginalized
Creating Your Queer Berkshire Life
What I've learned in my time here has transformed my experience:
- The Berkshire Athenaeum hosts a fantastic LGBTQ+ book club every third Thursday
- Berkshire Pride isn't just an event but a year-round community
- Sometimes you have to be the queer visibility you want to see
- The Berkshire mountains may seem imposing, but they also cradle and protect us
Remember, belonging isn't just found—it's built, conversation by conversation, friend by friend. Your queerness belongs here in these hills as naturally as the maple trees and rolling fog.
Share Your Pittsfield Story
How are you creating queer community in the Berkshires? Your journey matters, and someone else might find their way through yours.