Finding Your Queer Joy in Gresham When It Feels Impossible
Have you ever walked through Main City Park wondering if you're the only queer person for miles? That feeling hit me hard during my first winter here, watching straight couples holding hands while I scrolled dating apps showing matches 30+ miles away.
My Gresham Reality Check
Moving from Portland's Hawthorne district to Gresham three years ago was culture shock. The rainbow flags disappeared, and suddenly I was the "gay friend" again instead of just another person. I remember walking into Jazzy Bagels, catching eyes with another queer person, and sharing that silent nod of recognition that felt like finding water in a desert.
The Invisible Community Struggle
Let's be honest about what's hard here:
- Dating pools that feel puddle-sized compared to Portland
- Never quite knowing if that coffee shop or bar is actually "safe"
- The exhaustion of coming out over and over to new neighbors
- Feeling like you're constantly educating others
Creating Queer Joy Anyway
Despite everything, we're here and thriving. I started hosting monthly potlucks at my apartment near Powell & Burnside. What began as four nervous queers sharing casseroles grew into twenty-plus friends spilling onto my tiny balcony. Sometimes creating community means becoming the thing you needed when you arrived.
Remember that you're not just surviving here—you're helping build something beautiful for the next queer person who moves to town feeling just as alone as we once did.
How are you finding or creating queer community in Gresham? Share below and let's connect the dots between our isolated experiences. Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.