Have You Ever Felt Like the Only Queer Person in Allentown?
I remember my first winter here—standing under those twinkling lights at Lights in the Parkway, beautiful but so alone. Despite the crowd, I felt invisible. Allentown had become my home after college, but finding my people? That seemed impossible.
Finding My Queer Family in the Lehigh Valley
The Bradbury-Sullivan Center became my lifeline. What started as an awkward visit to their library turned into regular game nights where I met Jessie and Mark, who introduced me to their friends, who welcomed me to potlucks, and suddenly—I wasn't alone anymore.
The Real Struggles We Face Here
Let's be honest about the challenges:
- Dating apps that show the same 20 people over and over
- The constant "Are you going to that event in Philly?" because local options feel limited
- Explaining to your straight coworkers why you drive 45 minutes to a specific cafe "just for coffee"
- The sideways glances when holding hands downtown
Creating Your Queer Community Here
Finding connection takes creativity in smaller cities like ours:
- Follow @prideglbt and @bradburysullivan on Instagram for local events
- The Allentown Farmer's Market on Saturdays has become surprisingly queer-friendly
- Consider starting small gatherings—my monthly potluck started with just 4 people!
- Don't dismiss potential friends who are different from you—our community is small but diverse
Remember, your queerness doesn't need validation from crowded pride parades. Your existence here matters. We're building something beautiful in these Lehigh Valley streets, one connection at a time.
Have you found your community here? What spaces have felt welcoming? Share below—someone might discover their new favorite place through your comment!