Is Being Queer in Small-Town New England Different Than You'd Expect?
When I first moved to Woonsocket, Rhode Island, I braced myself for the worst. Coming from Providence, I worried this smaller city might not have space for my queer identity. I was wrong in the most beautiful way.
Finding My Corner of Woonsocket
The first time I wandered into a local coffee shop on Main Street wearing my pride pin, the barista—a woman with silver-streaked hair and kind eyes—pointed to her own pin and whispered, "Family." That moment planted roots for me in this historic mill town that I never expected.
The Quiet Struggles We Share
Despite these bright spots, challenges remain:
- Dating options feel limited when you know practically everyone
- Finding explicitly queer-friendly spaces requires detective work
- Well-meaning but awkward questions from neighbors ("So which church did you meet at?")
- The isolation that comes from being "the only one" in many rooms
Creating Space When None Exists
What I've learned is that we make our own sanctuaries:
- The monthly potluck I started now draws queer folks from three neighboring towns
- Blackstone River bikepath meetups became our informal gathering spot
- Local library agreed to host our queer book club after just one conversation
Remember that visibility creates visibility. Each time you exist openly, you create permission for someone else.
You're Not Walking Alone
On days when Woonsocket feels too small, too traditional, or too quiet, please know there's a web of us here, connecting in ways both visible and invisible. Your existence matters in this tapestry.
What's your experience being queer in small-town New England? Share below—I promise I'm reading every comment.