Finding My Rainbow in Suburban Ohio: A Queer Journey
Have you ever felt like the only splash of color in a beige landscape? That was me, standing in the Fraze Pavilion parking lot, wondering if I was the only queer person in all of Kettering.
My Kettering Coming Out Story
When I moved to Kettering three years ago, I brought my pride flag and anxiety in equal measure. The tree-lined streets and well-kept lawns of this Dayton suburb seemed picturesque, but would they accept all of me? The first time I held my partner's hand at Polen Farm, I felt every eye watching—or was that just in my head?
The Invisible Tightrope We Walk
Let's talk about what many of us face here:
- The constant coming out carousel (yes, to every new neighbor at the block party)
- Dating apps where the closest match is 45 minutes away
- That uncomfortable pause when someone asks about your "husband" or "wife"
- Finding your people when there's no dedicated queer spaces nearby
Creating Rainbows Where We Are
Here's what helped me build my queer community in Kettering:
- Start small — I began with a monthly coffee meet-up at Chimneys
- Connect with Dayton's LGBTQ+ center for events worth the short drive
- Be the representation you needed — I volunteer at Kettering schools now
- Online communities can bridge physical distances until you find your people
Remember, suburban queer joy is its own kind of revolutionary act. Your existence here matters more than you know.
How have you created space for yourself in unexpected places? Share below—your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today. 💜