Finding Your Rainbow: When You're the Only Queer Person in Small-Town Wisconsin
Have you ever felt like the only sprinkle of glitter in a sea of flannel? That was me, standing in my hometown diner in Eau Claire, wondering if there was anyone else like me within a 50-mile radius.
My Wisconsin Story
When I moved back to my parents' farm after college, I traded busy Pride parades for quiet country roads. The first winter was brutal - not just the legendary Wisconsin cold, but the isolation. I'd scroll through dating apps finding the same five profiles, week after week. The closest LGBTQ+ meetup was an hour's drive away in Madison, and sometimes the snow made even that impossible.
The Rural Queer Dilemma
- Finding community when there isn't a visible one
- Dating when your options seem limited
- Navigating family dynamics when you're the "only one"
- Balancing authenticity with safety in conservative spaces
Creating Your Own Glitter Trail
What saved me wasn't finding a hidden enclave of queer folks (though eventually I did!). It was learning to bloom where I was planted. I started a tiny book club that didn't advertise as LGBTQ+ but featured queer authors. Slowly, people came. Some straight allies, some questioning folks, and yes, other queer people who'd been just as invisible as me.
Remember: Your queerness doesn't need big city lights to be valid. Sometimes being the first visible one creates space for others.
We're Here, We're Queer, We're in Wisconsin
Tell me, how are you creating community where you are? Have you found your people in unexpected places? Your story matters, especially to someone else feeling alone right now.