Finding My Queer Joy in South Dakota's Wide Open Spaces
Have you ever felt like a rainbow in a black and white landscape? That's often what being queer in South Dakota feels like — simultaneously beautiful and conspicuous.
My Prairie Home Truth
When I moved back to Sioux Falls after college, I braced myself for isolation. The first winter was brutal. Not just the subzero temps, but the feeling that I was the only one navigating life as a queer person in this vast state. I'd walk through downtown, past the SculptureWalk, wondering if anyone else understood what it meant to carry both South Dakota grit and queer joy in the same heart.
The Invisible Tightrope
Let's talk about the daily calculations many of us make:
- Deciding whether to correct pronouns at the local coffee shop
- Finding date spots where you won't get uncomfortable stares
- Building friend circles that don't require constantly explaining your identity
- Fielding family questions about when you'll "settle down" (their definition)
Creating Our Own Constellations
What saved me wasn't leaving — it was finding my people. They were here all along! The queer book club that meets at Coffea Roasterie. The monthly potlucks organized through private Facebook groups. The surprising allyship from my elderly neighbor who hangs a small rainbow wind chime.
You Are Not Alone on These Plains
Your experience is valid. Your presence here matters. We may be spread across many miles, but we're looking at the same brilliant South Dakota sky, finding our way home to ourselves and each other.
Drop a comment about your favorite queer-friendly space in South Dakota. Let's build this map together, one story at a time. 💜