Queering the Map Highlights

"Queering the Map is a community-generated mapping project that geo-locates queer moments, memories and histories in relation to physical space." This blog is dedicated to finding the hidden gems on the website - from the sappy and poetic to the laugh-your-ass-off wacky stories. You can also explore the website for yourself at queeringthemap.com. (Psst: check out my main blog at the314anoman.tumblr.com)

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when i was 15, i traveled from my small conservative town to stay a few days with a queer online friend who lived in the east bay. they were one of the only people i was out to-- i was so far in the closet at that point, i couldn't even bring myself to say the word "gay" out loud. it was my first time meeting an out queer person and my first time in a big city. walking around the castro district, seeing rainbow flags in windows and visibly queer people walking down the streets...it made me realise for the first time that maybe being queer didn't have to mean a lifetime of isolation, hiding, shame, and suffering. maybe it could mean something beautiful.

— San Francisco, California

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Our first date. Saint Patty’s. You were a year away from legal drinking age, so we didn’t party at all, actually, we walked and walked and talked and I honestly think this is the day that I started falling. I think a part of me will always be yours. It’s been a long, difficult year for both of us and I am so sorry we didn’t work. Every time I see you I regret what we could have been, but you are such a free spirit and I could never be the one to tie you down.

— Oklahoma City

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Played drunk Yahtzee here with my mentor, his husband, and my first serious girlfriend. Queer elders exist and they’re damn good at dice.

— Tulsa, Oklahoma

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Such an unplanned, beautiful moment. Your school had a dance party out on a lawn and we stopped in. I saw you come alive as we danced like dorks. Later outside your dorm building we laid out on the grass and looked up at the stars, overwhelmed by life. We made love on your twin bed and held each other until morning.

— San Diego, California

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The first time I went to Pride. I thought I'd have to sneak out of the house to go, but apparently my mom had already learned what I was planning from a friend of mine, and had planned on going with me( of course, she couldn't find me anywhere.) The next year, we went together and I introduced her to all of my queer friends.

— Lexington, Kentucky

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Where I grip the blue, pink and white, choke on my words as I exclaim to the world and those who will judge me "I am Elijah,"

— St. Johns, Newfoundland

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I'll never forget the way you looked at me and how your eyes creased when you smile. my hand found its way to yours and we just sat there gazing at the night sky and enjoying each others presence. i can even remember what song was playing at that moment- say you love me by fleetwood mac. you live so far a way now and i think about you every second.

— Northern Quebec, Canada

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I’m sorry for being too nervous to kiss you back. You’re so beautiful and smart and so...at ease and I never imagined you’d want to kiss someone like me - you took me by surprise. I’m so shy and private and I didn’t want my first meaningful kiss to be in front of other people, and their judgment, so I panicked. But that moment between us at that party bus was the most romantic moment of my life, even though I ruined it. Your boldness amazes me, but it is also terrifying for someone as inexperienced as myself. So I ran away from you, and I’ve agonized over that mistake for the past two months. I’m sorry I wasn’t brave enough to take the chance on you. But the truth is, I really do like you. A lot. I might have even fallen in love with you, given enough time. I hope to make it up to you one day. I hope I haven’t ruined it all.

- Oslo, Norway

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I told my mom I was bi. She said "I know." and kept spreading jam on her toast. "Do you want some?"

- Piraeus, Greece

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I was here to help my grandmother pass away in a not-so-loney way when he saw me crying on her doorstep when I found her passed. He sat with me for hours, went to the funeral, and then left with me back to Australia. To the man who had been so, so scared of himself; I will love you when you do not and I will carry you when you can't walk, just like you did when she passed. I can't wait to have your ring next month. With love, J.L.M.

— Pyramiden, Svalbard

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This is where I for the first time became friends with a queer adult with a partner and a family and a good life. I had never known anyone like that growing up and he made me believe that I had a future beyond my 20s. I wish I had the guts to tell im how much that meant to me.

— Reykjavik, Iceland

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the stairs we ran up when you dared me to race you. I said no, before pushing you so i could get a headstart knowing I would lose. And even if you got up there before me, your smile was waiting for me and it was the best reward.

— Paris, France

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Beeing queer is as natural as the air we breathe and watching the sun rise and set each day, for the longest time I wanted to be colored “acceptable “ by society, I sought validation from people who would end my life without a single thought if they knew I was gay. Even if I can’t be open about my sexuality yet and live the life I have always wanted in open, I can love and be my true self privately. I have the world most beautiful and understanding partner and although we are young and have our life ahead of us we are there of each other, we support each other and we’re living In our own little world and that is enough for me. One day I know I would be able to hold his hands on the street and kiss him without looking over my shoulders. For something as beautiful as that I can wait. But till then , refuse to compromise for the sake of society, I refused to be accepted on the condition I have to tone down my colors I refuse to be plain I am rainbow .

— Abuja, Nigeria

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i was mean to you, i pinched you and teased you because i didn't understand why i was so fascinated with you. i'm sorry, i wish i had been kinder

— Seattle, Washington

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We'd talked a couple nights before. I asked if you wanted to just have our first kiss on my bed with the lights out or wait for somewhere special. You said you didn't know and we went to sleep. Eventually when we were driving down the street back to my house I decided to pull over here, just to show you the lighthouse, you thought. We held hands as we walked behind the lighthouse. Neither of us had ever kissed anyone before, late-blooming sapphics that we were, and it was everything. You're everything.

— Evanston, Illinois

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I lost the concert tickets and was a complete wreck. You had spent a hundred bucks on those for us. But you told me not to worry and took me to the beach where you pulled out a portable speaker and started blasting our own concert. You took my hand and we danced all night. Just me and you. It was magical.

— Vancouver, Canada

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I had known I was a lesbian for five years. My mother knew, but we never spoke about it. Here, she was in the ICU, and I was so afraid I would lose her. I flew across the country to be with her. I told her about my new girlfriend. She was happy that I was happy. She made a full recovery. I love my mom.

— Binghamton, New York