Finding My Rainbow in a Small Southern Town
Have you ever felt like the only queer person in your entire zip code? That was me when I first moved to Wilson, North Carolina three years ago.
My Wilson Journey
I still remember that first summer evening, sitting alone at Casita Brewing Company, nursing my craft beer while scanning the room for any hint of queer community. The tobacco warehouses-turned-art spaces held so much beauty, but I wondered if there was space for me here.
The Invisible Struggle
Being queer in a smaller Southern town comes with unique challenges:
- Dating apps show the same 5 people within a 50-mile radius
- Well-meaning neighbors who keep mentioning their "single nephew"
- The constant calculation of when/how to come out in new settings
- Finding community spaces that feel truly safe
Creating Space When None Exists
Over time, I discovered something beautiful about Wilson: the community you seek might not exist yet, but you can build it!
- Start small with coffee meetups at Tig's Courtyard
- Connect with the arts community at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park events
- Join regional LGBTQ+ groups in Raleigh and Greenville
- Create online spaces specific to Eastern NC queer life
You Are Not Alone Here
What I once saw as isolation transformed into opportunity. Every queer person I've met in Wilson carries the same quiet strength that comes from carving your own path.
What's your experience in small-town NC? Share below and let's continue building this beautiful community together.