Finding Your Queer Joy in Small-Town Ohio
Have you ever felt like the only rainbow flag in a sea of sameness? That was me, standing in the Mentor High School parking lot back in 2018, heart racing as I held my girlfriend's hand for the first time in public.
My Mentor Reality
Growing up queer in Mentor meant weekends at Mentor Headlands beach, hiding behind sunglasses as I stared a little too long at the lifeguard. It meant hushed conversations at Mentor Public Library, discovering queer authors between the stacks. It meant driving past Mentor Marsh countless times, feeling as hidden and complex as its ecosystem.
When Connection Feels Impossible
The struggle is real when you're trying to date in a place where:
- Dating apps show the same 10 people within a 50-mile radius
- Everyone knows everyone (and their business)
- Finding safe spaces feels like a treasure hunt without a map
Creating Your Own Magic
I found my people at monthly meetups at Matchworks in Mentor. Start small:
- Connect with the Cleveland LGBT Center's outreach programs
- Create a casual coffee meetup at Lakeshore Coffee House
- Join Mentor's community garden (seriously, we're everywhere)
Remember: your existence is resistance. Every time you authentically show up, you create possibility for someone else.
You're Not Walking Alone
That terrifying moment in the parking lot? Two years later, I officiated a wedding for a couple who said they found courage watching us that day. Your visibility matters more than you know.
What's your Mentor story? Share below—our stories weave us together across this city in ways we can't always see.