Finding Queer Community in La Crosse: My Winding River Journey
Have you ever felt like you're navigating uncharted waters as a queer person in a smaller city? When I first moved to La Crosse five years ago, I stood at the overlook on Grandad Bluff, gazing at the Mississippi River below, wondering if I'd ever find my people here.
From Isolation to Connection
My first winter in La Crosse was beautiful but lonely. The snow-covered bluffs and frozen river matched my cold isolation. I remember walking down Pearl Street, seeing couples holding hands, and feeling invisible. The local coffee shop became my refuge – until that fateful open mic night when I nervously performed a poem about queer longing, and three people approached me afterward.
The Challenges We Face
Let's be honest about the struggles:
- Dating apps in smaller cities often feel like fishing in a puddle
- Navigating spaces where you're unsure if you're welcome
- Finding authentic connection beyond the few "official" LGBTQ+ events
- Balancing visibility with safety in a politically mixed region
Creating Your Own Community
What worked for me might work for you:
- Expand beyond labeled queer spaces – I found chosen family at art collectives, river cleanup events, and local activism groups
- Connect with The Center's monthly gatherings – their potlucks saved me
- Start something yourself – my queer book club began with just three people
- Embrace the surprising allyship – that elderly neighbor who insisted I bring my partner to dinner
Remember, your queerness is valid here between these bluffs. The river has carried countless stories like ours. You're not floating alone.
What's your La Crosse queer experience? Share below – or message me to join our next riverside gathering. Your voice belongs in our chorus.