As I contemplate an eventual return to the North, I’ve been trying to get a pulse for the year-round community in Door County, WI (a small population compared to the seasonal droves that flood to Wisconsin’s thumb during the summer season). My parents have taken this information-gathering mission seriously and give me a steady drip of progressive developments happening in the county.
My mom volunteers with the local League of Women’s Voters organization and has become friends with one of the members who also founded Door County’s PLFAG chapter. I was thrilled to hear that Door County had any local LGBTQ+ organization and have been doing my best to support from afar.
I wanted to learn more about the queer community in Door County and asked my mom to coordinate a lunch date for us and the PFLAG founder next time I was home. Yesterday we met Sandy at a cozy coffee shop and lunch spot in Sturgeon Bay. We got to chat about the origin story of this PFLAG chapter — over twenty years old now — and her experience with Door County attitudes towards the queer community. I also got to share my story and the three of us (my mom came to the lunch too) had a great discussion about progress, setbacks, and just queer stuff.
Which is awesome to have in rural Wisconsin. Door County is conservative in many ways, especially compared to cities like Austin, but I am optimistic about the increased visibility and acceptance that’s happening across rural America. Real Queer America is an amazing book to read on this front.
And it was great to have my mom there as well — her support and openness to these conversations mean I’ve had few hiccups in my own queer identity.
There’s more to be done in LGBTQ+ education and advocacy up here, but it’s exciting to start making some connections and see that I wouldn’t be alone.
With Love,
Natalie