February 29th, 2016

Context: The following quotes are original responses to the question of "What is it like to be a queer youth in the suburbs?" The responses are a collaboration of personal and candid pieces that  are unique, yet relatable all in the same breath.


"Being a queer youth in the suburbs is having to stay in the closet and put up with gay jokes from the family who tells me they’ll love me no matter what."

"Being a queer youth in the suburbs is pretty good but you never know how people are going to feel about you."

"Being a queer youth in the suburbs is both a blessing and a burden."

"Being a queer youth in the suburbs is like two side of the same coin. Living in the suburbs reminds me that I am an advantaged person, and that I can use that position to help others, But it still doesn’t stop me from being ridiculed for being queer. But I am still able to find comfort and safety, because I am in the suburbs."

"Being a queer youth in the suburbs means dealing with a lot of passive aggression towards queer people which pushed me further into the closet."

"Being a queer youth in the suburbs is giving five second elevator pitch to everyone on my identity."

"Being a queer youth in the suburbs is hard because I don't know any other queer people."

"Being a queer youth in the suburbs is nice because I feel pretty supported and accepted (but that’s just me, I know not everyone feels that way)."

"Being a queer youth in the suburbs is pretty rad but also kinda tough."

"Being a queer youth in the suburbs is reassuring because it gives me the ability to hide."

"Being queer in the suburbs means limited support systems. More often than not, you have to go into the city in order to seek support groups and/or find nifty lgbtq-friendly shops."

"Being queer in the suburbs means having a close-knit group of friends and acquaintances, and therefore, having the option to choose who you come to as time goes along."