Idaho has never been able to claim to be a champion of LGBTQ+ rights. But in the past few months, things have gotten palpably darker.
- 📸 None of this is new: A visual history of Pride celebrations in Idaho through archival images.
The reality of today’s political climate is that LGBTQ+ people in Idaho — especially those who aren’t white and cisgender — must assume that an establishment or community is unsafe for them until proven otherwise. Which makes building community, taking local action, and preserving mental health all the more difficult and important.
This is the first of a two-part series on LGBTQ+ support and resources. The next will focus on healthcare and mental health.
Ways to Find Community
With such a small community and the prevalence of online culture, it’s admittedly a little hard to find LGBTQ+ friends in Boise (just ask Reddit). But typically once you start the process and get introduced to a couple people or organizations, you’ll find more LGBTQ+ folks quickly. Here are a few places to start:
- The Community Center (TCC) has support groups, doctor recommendations, business lists, and more. Their calendar of LGBTQ+ events around the valley is also a helpful place to start.
- Trans Joy Boise is, in my opinion, one of the most encouraging things to have formed out of the current push against transgender rights. They have a really good podcast, a weekly support group, and much more coming soon.
- Try bars! Sadly with the recent closure of Somewhere Bar, the Balcony Club is now the only gay bar in Boise, while Water Bear Bar is now the only out queer-owned bar. Hear how Water Bear’s impeccable vibes came to be.
- For over 20 years the Flying M has been a sort of unofficial queer town hall (in all of their locations). It’s literally where I made my first queer friend in Boise, and we’re friends to this day!
- The Boise Gay Men’s and Boise Women’s Chorus are accepting and inclusive communities — and if you can’t sing, their concerts are fun to attend! The next one is coming up on March 29.
- The Sierra Club’s OUTdoors Idaho group will get you in touch with nature and community at the same time. Just send them an email to get on their list.
Lastly, I recommend getting adventurous! As an LGBTQ+ Idahoan, the impulse to draw inward is understandable. But unfortunately, let’s be real: Things are going to get worse, and soon. The silver lining is that it’s time to throw caution to the wind, socially speaking. Plan coffee dates, walks, parties, coworking hangouts, game nights, dinners, and anything else that crosses your mind. We need each other!
And I’m sorry this is cheesy, but let me be the first to tell you today: I'm so glad you’re here.
