Finding My Rainbow in Mid-Missouri: A Queer Journey
Have you ever felt like a unicorn in a field of horses? That's exactly how I felt when I first moved to Columbia, Missouri as an out-and-proud queer person.
My CoMo Coming Out Story
Three years ago, I nervously unpacked my U-Haul (yes, the lesbian stereotype was alive and well) into my downtown apartment. The streets of Columbia seemed charming but unfamiliar. Would this mid-sized Midwestern city have space for someone like me? The answer surprised me in the most beautiful ways.
When You're the "Only One"
The struggle of finding your people is real. Those first few months, I'd scan coffee shops wondering if anyone else was family. Dating apps showed profiles "55 miles away" and making friends meant careful navigation of:
- The awkward "Are they queer or just Midwestern nice?" dance
- Finding events that weren't exclusively at bars
- Building community when you're shy and anxious
- Explaining to well-meaning locals that yes, queer people exist everywhere
Creating Your Queer Oasis
What finally changed everything was showing up – consistently and authentically. I discovered:
- Peaceful Grounds café hosts fantastic queer meetups
- Ragtag Cinema's queer film nights build instant connections
- MU's LGBTQ+ Resource Center welcomes community members
- sometimes the queerest spaces aren't labeled as such
Remember: Columbia's queer community might be smaller, but we're mighty and welcoming.
You Are Not Alone Here
On days when mid-Missouri feels impossibly straight, please know there are rainbow pockets everywhere. Your queerness is valid here. Your journey matters. And there's a community waiting to embrace you.
What's been your experience finding community in smaller cities? Share below – your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.