Every time I visit Seattle, I realize what I’m missing

I’m a single gay guy from Oklahoma, and every time I visit Seattle I’m reminded how different life can feel somewhere with such a visible queer presence. Seeing LGBTQ+ people simply existing, Pride flags throughout the city and so much acceptance and allyship gives me a sense of peace I don’t experience back home.

I’ve had genuinely scary in-person encounters with bigots in Oklahoma, and I’m tired of living somewhere that barely sees people like me as people. Every visit to Seattle reinforces how much living somewhere that treats queerness as a normal, visible part of everyday life would mean for my quality of life.

I’ve visited Seattle multiple times and in different seasons, so this isn’t based on one great trip. Between the queer community, progressive culture and beauty of the PNW, I’ve thought about making Seattle home for a long time. I wouldn’t move from Tulsa without a solidified job, but I’m finally seriously pursuing it.

I’d especially love to hear from LGBTQ+ people who moved to Seattle from Oklahoma or another conservative area and how living here has changed your quality of life and sense of belonging.