Have You Ever Felt Like an Outsider in Your Own Home State?
Growing up queer in Ohio wasn't exactly the plot of a heartwarming coming-of-age film. I spent my teenage years in a small town outside of Columbus where cornfields outnumbered Pride flags about 10,000 to 1.
My Ohio Story
The first time I went to ComFest in Columbus wearing a rainbow pin, I felt simultaneously terrified and liberated. A woman with gray hair and kind eyes noticed my nervous glances and said, "Honey, you belong here just as you are." I didn't know then that years later I'd be organizing queer meetups across the state.
The Midwest Queer Dilemma
Let's be honest about what many of us face here:
- Dating pools smaller than Lake Erie in winter
- The dreaded "am I the only queer in this entire county?" feeling
- Conservative family members who "love you but don't agree with your lifestyle"
- The constant explanation that yes, LGBTQ+ people exist in Ohio too
Finding Your People
Here's what helped me survive and eventually thrive:
- Seek out queer-friendly spaces in larger cities like Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland
- Online communities specific to Midwest queer experiences
- Start small gatherings yourself—even a coffee meetup can become a lifeline
- Embrace intersectional spaces where multiple identities are welcomed
Remember that your queerness doesn't have to look like anyone else's. Your Ohio story is valid whether you're out and proud or still figuring things out.
We're here, we're queer, and yes—we're in Ohio. You are never as alone as you feel. What's your Ohio queer experience been like?