Discovering My Queer Identity While Walking Along Palisades Avenue
Ever felt like your heart was holding a secret that your hometown wasn't quite ready to hear? That was me three years ago, clutching my coffee at the window seat of La Bella Vita on Bergenline, watching Union City wake up while I wrestled with coming out.
Finding My Place in Hudson County's Patchwork
Union City welcomed my family from Ecuador with open arms when I was ten. The colorful storefronts, the mix of Spanish dialects, the smell of pastries from Dulceria—this place raised me. But as I grew into my queer identity, I wondered if there was room for this part of me between the tight-knit blocks and family traditions.
The Beautiful Struggle of Being Authentically You
Creating queer community here came with challenges:
- Finding people who understand both my Latinx and queer identities
- Navigating family expectations while living authentically
- Searching for queer-friendly spaces in our small but mighty city
- Battling the feeling that I needed to move to NYC to truly be myself
Building Bridges, Not Exits
What I've learned is that Union City has magic if you know where to look. The Washington Park meetups every second Saturday. The supportive baristas at Treehouse Coffee who host queer poetry nights. The growing network of LGBTQ+ Hudson County neighbors connecting online and creating the spaces we need.
Remember, belonging doesn't always exist—sometimes we have to create it together. Your queerness doesn't make you any less part of this community's beautiful fabric. You're not walking this path alone.
Share Your Union City Story
How are you carving out space for your authentic self in our neighborhood? Drop your experiences below—let's build our map of queer joy in Union City together.