Sumin Jeon photographed by Kim Young Hoon
If you’re reading this and are currently in love with a tiny place that hasn’t loved you back yet, I want you to know that this is okay. You are not small-minded, unworldly, or masochistic for dismissing the silly myth surrounding the mutual exclusivity of gay life and city life. I want you to also know that, contrary to everything I’ve said so far, it is possible to inspire change and build community in your own neck of the woods. You’re already doing it by holding your ground. The world needs people like you; the world needs Audris. I want you to know that this flighty gay is here for you. I’m not speaking as a saint here, but a Southerner; someone who knows her way around a three-redlight town. I may no longer breathe the same rural air that you do, but my lungs remember it. LGBT solidarity is not locational. It transcends those borders. And if anyone ever tells you to move to a bigger place because it’s easier, bless their hearts and tell ‘em they’re doing allyism wrong.
The Ones We Left Behind: On Being An Ally To Small Town Queers
I wrote Another Thing About The Sticks.
(via fonsecadelsur)
“There’s not much media representation of the freezing lesbians in the snowy Northern prairies’ demographic.”
Leaving camp, I held in the tears that were choking my breath and the angst that squeezed my ribs. Leaving A-camp is leaving my family. You must think I’m being overdramatic or making my connection to this place sound bigger than it is. But, this shit is for real, I love everyone that works for Autostraddle and have so much love for the people that keep us alive and that come to A-camp. You queers make me feel like a real person, like I have a right to exist in this world as I am. It’s hard to say goodbye to that.
i hate to say this but i don’t actually give a fuck what a straight cis dude takes offense to in the queer community, even if it’s a humorous post poking fun at our own habits. this is a safe space for queer people, not for you, sorry i’m not sorry. if you feel alienated or offended by something on this site, newsflash: we feel alienated and offended by your entire culture. just FYI.