I feel like many individuals I encounter are, but on the whole it's hard to tell with so many Trump/Pence signs everywhere.

I know La Clinica recently added pronouns including "them" and gender-identity including trans on their forms. I know the library has Queer Coffeehouse. But I worked at a place where the owner told me she was hesitant about hiring a gay potential employee because she was afraid of backlash from older or more conservative customers. I've also worked a couple of businesses that openly said they felt Pride was the work of the devil, or whatnot. We still have a way to go, as a community.

I think the varies depending on the area

I work at the library and am careful to make spaces look inclusive. But many of my colleagues don't bother. [rest of quote removed for privacy]

I’ve been to PP of SW Oregon but that’s very different from other medical places.

In Ashland, Talent pretty good. Grants Pass, white City Medford a little dicier

It depends on where I am in Southern Oregon. Ashland/Talent is usually OK but I have felt very uncomfortable in parts of Josephine County

Living at the sanctuary is a very cloistered environment and my answers are based on that experience

My school, doctor, the library etc. are all excepting but the community its self is not.

of course you have people who laugh at you and everything but nothing violent what i have seen

Outside of Ashland it can get pretty dicey

The answer to this question would likely depend on where in southern Oregon I am. In some locations, I would answer 'strongly disagree' in others' Moderately disagree,' and maybe in Ashland I would say 'Moderately agree.'

The library does a great job! So does SOU and Oregon Shakespeare Festival but im not sure that the general population is as accepting.

This can really vary depending on what southern oregon community you are in.

While communities in Ashland are generally more open and accepting, outside this bubble communities are a lot less accepting.

Folks like to say that Ashland is accepting, but I've have had anti-queer experiences in Ashland just the same as Medford. I have been keeping my hair longer, so I 'look' more femininie, but when I was very andro presenting I had more issues.

I feel like it’s hard to name because I have a short list of places I frequent because of this, and spend little time in spaces where the possibility or experience of this keeps me from going there more often. Basically, I’ve created a safety bubble over the years and have a hard time branching out — I have been traumatized in public spaces before and avoid those at all costs.

I feel very unsafe in many areas of Jackson/Josephine county UNLESS I know that I am in a social gathering of LGBTQ+ people in a secure environment (a friend's house, a verified ally/LGBTQ+ owned space, etc.) and there are not a ton around here.

I have had both positive experiences with medical professionals (after getting queer and trans vetted suggestions) and negative/traumatic experiences (mental health therapist and emergency room/urgent care staff)

I think most people are open minded, but I have seen an increase in judgement by strangers.

I used to think the area was pretty liberal but I’ve sadly come across some hateful groups.

I was born here and I know these people FAR too well to think they're at all "accepting."

I was forced to take a pregnancy test even though I stated I was in a committed lesbian relationship. Very dehumanizing and the hospital would not listen! Until I had a meltdown in the parking lot did they finally offer to let me sign a waiver. Very ugly and felt like they didn't value my relationship and that I was faithful and wouldn't need a test.

I went to New Hope Christian School, and you had to hide your sexuality and gender identity or you would be expelled

I’ve been called anti-gay slurs in stores and places here. I don’t like having to figure out if my dr is gay friendly. It’s stressful

I've been attacked in public spaces and targeted in workplaces by patrons & co-workers.

I've been called the "f" word while out on dates, I don't dare hold my partner's hand anywhere here. I've had healthcare that has ignored me being open about having a romantic same-sex partner.

I've been demurred medical services many times, but my school does pretty ok with this stuff

I've had homophobic experiences w/ healthcare providers!

I've seen a lot of hostile things when it comes to the LGBTQ community and it's not as bad in Medford as it once was, it's really bad in Grant's Pass. I even had a transphobic teacher once.

Most people at school think it's weird or stupid but some of my LGBTQ+ friends havent had any harrassment whereas others have, I havent because I'm not out about it to many people.

The narrow-minded, uninformed, usually ignorant of "others", tend to congregate out past the 97520/97540 zip codes, and I am definitely more guarded here in general.

This is an conservative dominated region. There is so much hate spewed in these counties.

Too many homophobic doctors and staff

Too much conservative influence in city and county government.

while I was in school, I was bullied heavily for things relating to my gender and sexuality, and the schools did not respond in ways that made me feel safe, instead I felt like I was the problem

I have never seen support in these areas but also never have faced discrimination in these areas.

Hard to say who is accepting or are they just tolerant

I cannot think of any public resources/spaces that openly state or advertise that they are LGBTQ+ friendly. Because the overall area is so conservative and Christian, it can be dangerous to try and inquire or even find out if a space or resource is actually LGBTQ+ friendly.

Accepting is so different from welcoming or including. I don't get explicit negativity from, say, healthcare professionals, but I have never seen an intake form here that had any options besides binary gender. I didn't go to school here so I don't know about that.

Businesses and institutions (ie libraries) are on the surface non-hostile. On the streets is another story

Even in the most accepting circles, a lack of outreach and education has created some backward thinking around trans and non-binary identities here. I would like to say that I feel more comfortable around my clothes community and family members but no that is just simply not the case yet.

I don't see much visibility of the queer community, sometimes pride flags downtown, but not by business, libraries, or community organizations.

I feel "accepted" but not understood, uplifted in my neighborhood; within the region I feel largely invisible.

I feel like there's tons of LGBTQ people but we're invisible. There's no public representation of LGBTQ people.

Representation is low.

The LGBTQAI+ community in SO is not visible. There are no desginated gay bars, or organizations that are dedicated to LGBTQAI+ rights, there are a limited amount of social clubs

We're not represented anywhere, and our lives experiences are only mentioned jokingly. I work at the library and have a few allies who are working together with me to change this. But most people don't care.

It would be nice if doctors were more open and direct about which questions apply to people having sex with more than one gender, rather than leaving it to interpretation

lacking awareness

More unisex signage is needed everywhere

I cannot think of any public resources/spaces that openly state or advertise that they are LGBTQ+ friendly. Because the overall area is so conservative and Christian, it can be dangerous to try and inquire or even find out if a space or resource is actually LGBTQ+ friendly.

I feel like it’s hard to name because I have a short list of places I frequent because of this, and spend little time in spaces where the possibility or experience of this keeps me from going there more often. Basically, I’ve created a safety bubble over the years and have a hard time branching out — I have been traumatized in public spaces before and avoid those at all costs.

Ever since I had things thrown at me from a car, my husband and I don't even hold hand anymore in public.

Most people at school think it's weird or stupid but some of my LGBTQ+ friends havent had any harrassment whereas others have, I havent because I'm not out about it to many people.

Trans people are not as visible due to fear of rejection

When I've gone into public spaces, I sometimes get looks when I'm wearing a rainbow wristband or wearing more masculine clothing.

As long as you don't tell them you're queer.

I am bi and often get mistaken for straight so it’s hard to say

i choose not to present as flamboyant

I dont act stereotypical gay but most people dont know I am despite being out which is helpful in this area

I dont go in announcing

I’ve only lived here for 2 years, and most people I knew when I moved here are in the lgbtq community. Otherwise, I’m pretty stealth.

I'm not out of the closet in public so i dont know how accepting

Knowing how conservative the area is, I feel like I have to pass more in public spaces to avoid violence

Many people ‘pass’.

To my chagrin, I pass as str8 to str8 ppl, and I don't "go out in public" in a gay way (with a partner), so I don't really have the basis of experience to answer this one.

I have never seen support in these areas but also never have faced discrimination in these areas.

I have not heard or seen any overtly hateful speech or actions toward LGBTQ+ people, and it seems that doctor's offices and libraries are generally supportive as far as I can tell.

Hard to say who is accepting or are they just tolerant

I have noticed strangers are less surprised to realize I’m queer and generally friendly in a curious way more recently within the last 4 years compared to my experiences 10 years ago

I personally have never been shown discrimination to my face. Maybe behind my back, but never to my face.

I've never had a bad interaction with the public.

Many places are very accepting, though there are pockets of discrimination in conservative areas. I have not faced institutional discrimination as doctor's offices and schools are accepting in practice and policy.

we feel as if we are kind, compassionate, exceptionally humorous and fascinating individuals...we'll be ok! so far we haven't had any issues.

Most businesses seem to want to be inclusive.

Most medical offices ask on forms what the client’s gender identity/pronouns is/are

Mostly along the I-5 corridor are people usually accepting

My doctor in Medford asked me in a non-biased way if I was sexually active with men, women, or both.

Pride support mostly or disease focused healthcare

Seems to be. I know kids at the high school who identify with various genders. Not sure about other kids but school seems accepting. At the clinic someone specializes in LGBTQ healthcare.

I think most people are open minded, but I have seen an increase in judgement by strangers.

I think a lot of southern oregon folks like to pretend they're chill with trans people, but still have a lot of transphobia to unlearn.

I think people are very accepting of sexual orientation, but slightly less accepting of gender queer.

A lot of places or organizations express their support, but the individuals we have to interact with do not always share that support.

I feel like most places claim to be inclusive on the surface, but there is definite hidden racism and anti-LGBTQ+ activities happening.

I feel they’re accepting to your face so they don’t make waves. But when you actually ask, the truth is not always as accepting. Person views come into play.

I think they are putting effort, but may not be successful

People in the Rogue Valley like to front as very open & accepting, and some of them are! But the perpetuated notion that the Rogue Valley is a bubble & all LGBTQ+ people are welcomed, supported, and safe here is simply not true. Bigotry twoards the community is still pertinent. And even those who claim to be supportive of the LGBTQ+ community still participate in microaggressions or the perpetuation of stereotypes VERY often, whether they are conscious of it or not.

spaces in southern oregon are more accepting of my white queerness than they are of others' Black or non-white queerness

There are places that are accepting and others that while accepting upfront are prejudiced beyond the scenes.

While the broader community may have good intentions, I have experienced a lack of true follow through at times.

what is "acceptance," feels like a low bar similar to tolerance. I feel like folks are "accepting," but begrudgingly, not supportive or celebratory.

Trans people are not as visible due to fear of rejection

When I've gone into public spaces, I sometimes get looks when I'm wearing a rainbow wristband or wearing more masculine clothing.

I think a lot of southern oregon folks like to pretend they're chill with trans people, but still have a lot of transphobia to unlearn.

I think people are very accepting of sexual orientation, but slightly less accepting of gender queer.

Folks like to say that Ashland is accepting, but I've have had anti-queer experiences in Ashland just the same as Medford. I have been keeping my hair longer, so I 'look' more femininie, but when I was very andro presenting I had more issues.

I think that it depends how "visibly" LGBTQ+ someone appears, and which part of Southern oregon like Ashland Food Co-op vs. the Central Point grange ...

I'm queer (sexuality wise) and trans, and i feel like attitudes toward sexuality and gender are different. There are places I would be comfortable being out as not straight but not out as not cisgender. i think it would be more helpful to separate them. Additionally, I currently live in Ashland, but I used to live in Medford and work in Rogue River. In RR I didn't feel safe being out in general, in Medford it was iffy, and in Ashland I feel like I can say fuck it ya gotta deal with me. So like saying Southern Oregon is a little too broad I feel like. Cause in just 40 mins of driving you can go from a place that feels fairly safe to a place that does not.

It's problematic I think to lump trans people in with cis gay people because there is way more acceptance for cis lgb folks than for trans people.

Depends on our gender expression. Cis people much more accepted

Gender queer people are less likely to be accepted, whether identifying as trans or otherwise.

I think the experiences of LGB are different than T.

It appears the rogue valley can be quite hostile towards trans women in particular

Activist and Organizer for Wild Womyn of Rogue Valley

Allied Therapist

Ally/activist

Although i identify as bisexual, i have lived in a committed same sex relationship for over a decade. We recently got legally married and were pleased to be treated very "normally" when we got our marriage license at the courthouse.

Am unemployed and live in an intentional community of a co-owned family household.

Artist and business owner

Artist and writer, non-traditional student

Because I’m biologically female and married to a man, I worry that I won’t be “queer” enough for the community

Because of the pandemic I am living with my parents and not paying rent, before that I was paying more than 30% of my income for housing.

Behavior Specialist for a school district and married to a woman.

Bipolar 1

Bipolar disorder

Born and raised in the rogue valley. 24 yrs old.

Business Owner

Child of a migrant worker

community organizer, new resident of the valley (almost 1 year)

Cook at an elementary school

Currently unemployment, used to work as a theatre electrician

Daughter of an ex -law enforcement officer who had severe ptsd and an alcoholic mother

Deeply spiritual.

Democratic socialist

diagnosed w/ADHD, possibly misdiagnosed, ie another executive function disorder/autism spectrum disorder. Also major anxiety issues, panic attacks, possible bipolar disorder, not to mention various OCD, germaphobic, and hypochondriac symptoms. Makes employment difficult, and I don't go out much.

Divorced. Parent. Able bodied. Regular meditator. I’m a physician.

educated w/ bachelor degree, living in so less than 1 year

Engaged to be married (had to postpone due to COVID-19). Laid off until January 2021 due to COVID-19, lost my health insurance and can't afford COBRA, trying to qualify for OHP. Worked in IT prior to COVID-19.

Ex-Christian, apostate

Expecting parent

Expecting parent with high functioning but poor mental health

Farmer

Fat

Fat, Farm worker

father of grown sons, retired clinical social worker

Firefighter

First time community college student in my 30s, neither of my parents graduated college. Left home at 17. Have been houseless/staying with friends for periods of months several times. I have mostly done low wage jobs, seasonal farm work, gig work and sex work.

Foster parents

Graduate level social work student & single parent

Graduate student

Happily single & childfree, but socially lonely with COVID

have been a foster parent

Home health care worker, I have anxiety disorder and OCD

homeschooling parent

Human, mother, wife, daughter, RN, friend

I am a father and i identify as a woman.

I am a high school teacher

i am a mother of four kids (8, 6, 3 and 1 1/2). they are my filter for everything.

I am a mother. I am currently married to a man but have come to the conclusion that I'm a lesbian. I wish I learned about compulsory heterosexuality sooner in life. I went through conversion therapy through church around 13. I've identified as lesbian, then bisexual, then questioning. I've identified as a woman but have read a lot about gender fluidity. Ultimately I decided that I'm a woman. I feel very lost and stuck. My family is very unaccepting and most don't know my sexuality at all. They would for sure reject me. They won't even watch Ellen. I would love a stronger connection to the local LGBT community. My husband is a cis straight male. He doesn't quite understand LGBT issues. I truly feel alone.

I am a parent and I am divorced.

I am a parent and my partner and I raise her. I am also a victim of domestic violence.

I am a parent of a biracial child who may also be a member of the lgbtq community

I am a parent, an artist, a writer, and a photographer

I am a recent transplant (1 year) to Jackson County

I am a self employed hemp farmer, previously medical cannabis farmer

I am a single mom whose ex-husband thinks homosexuality is a sin.

I am an artisan production worker!

I am an artist and parent

I am an educator in a public school and a parent. Because of the public nature of my job, I don't share with most people that I am a bisexual cis woman married to a cis man. I recognize that I experience privilege and I don't have to share this information. I am slowly gaining comfortability in sharing my orientation, but I'm not comfortable with sharing still in most situations.

I am an RN. I have a daughter and 2 grandchildren who live in the RV. I came out when I was 32, the year the Abdill-Ellis community center opened. That was a really great place, resource, community building!

I am bi and in a relationship with a man, which makes my experience living in Grants Pass significantly easier due to bi invisibility

I am full time employed, white, and well educated. I feel like that is useful context because if I, with all these privileges, have a hard time accessing affordable housing and services...I know it's harder for younger and/or browner people//ppl with less stability.

I am married. My wife and I have a son who identifies as gay. We also have two teen foster boys. One identifies as trans male, the other is cis/straight. We live [rurally]

I am not always open about my sexual orientation because it is easier. I always identify as an Ally.

I am queer. My wife is a trans woman we provide housing and a safe place for lgbtq, with a particular focus on gender queer individuals.

I am straight-passing (cis woman in a relationship with a cis man) and acknowledge the privilege I have of people assuming my heterosexuality

I am the mother of male gay twins who have not come out to me which makes me very sad!

I grew up in a home that didn't allow for not being straight, cisgender and christian. It is difficult enough for me to tell people my sexuality, but it becomes so much harder when I have people from within and without the LGBTQ community who try to tell me or explain to me or decide for me why I'm not a bisexual woman. I've experienced so much disrespect from nmbith sides that I do not go to pride parades because I'm so worried about being demeaned for who I am. I would love to go to a pride parade or gathering for people in the LGBTQ community but I will not put up with being harassed by the very people who are supposed to understand me and accept me.

I grew up in New Orleans among gay people and have a number of LGBTQ friends of all races. I was raised to be accepting and loving and have taught my children the same.

I have a 2 year old. Im also an Essential worker

I have a BA, and MLIS. Going back to community college to learn Spanish.

I have a few steady friends, without whom I would not be here, but otherwise I find social situations stressful. I've been homeless for the better part of a decade. I currently live in a bus, sometimes parked illegally. Sometimes I do work trade for rent/parking space. I've raised rabbits and ducks the past few years. I squeak by working odd jobs, mostly landscaping and yard work, tending gardens, and trimming weed. I've never made more than 7k in a year. I've been on EBT most of my adult life. I can't think of anything else that might be useful to the survey.

I have a son

I have ADHD as well as several symptoms of Autism, but have never been tested for it and have no interest in being tested.

I have help raise my partner’s son since he was 5. He’s 18 now!

I just graduated from an out of state college last month

I moved here from NYC in 2016. I work in schools. I was told this was a “progressive area” but the longer I’m here I can see that it is not necessarily the case.

I often pass as a straight white woman and therefore feel safer in situations that I know I would not if I looked differently. I desire to engage with more inclusive queer spaces and social settings, especially with a wide range of ages.

I run a list for lesbian and their women friends in the larger Southern Oregon area, most often known as "Tangren's List", it was started by Tee Corinne, lists events and doings of interest to our community. I used to teach Philosophy and Women's Studies at SOU. My primary social group is the Southern Oregon Women Writers' Group, started in 1981.

I teach physical activities mostly to children

I was a caregiver until Covid-19, Live in a van, cant find work do to economic and health conditions

I was a lawyer for a long time but I quit to be on a spiritual quest

I was active with both Rainbow Elders and the Lambda Community Center and am familiar with resources

i was born and raised in Ashland and my parents both live locally, so i generally have support with housing or finances when i really need it.

I was raised in Grants Pass but chose to move to a metropolitan area because of the traumatizing experience of living in GP — LGBTQ+ related/hyper masculine-White-provincial based discrimination. But I love the area and the eco system there feels like home to me — the people of this ecology feel like they are out of place with the area in regards to this, like they see it as a place to be owned or resourced from.

I work at a woodworking shop

I work at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (well I did until COVID-19), and live in the valley year round.

I work at the Shakespeare festival

I work for DHS Child Welfare.

I work from home from an out-of-state employer in software

I work in addiction health care and have 2 children. I'm a survivor of the hate in our community

I work in family homes throughout southern oregon. I am a private Family Coach. It is an interesting gage of hate in the area, as I venture out to Shady Cove, Central Point, etc. The internalized homophobic fear I used to have early in my career was difficult to navigate but over time it went away (feeling like I had to over-prove my NOT being a perv, etc) Sadly, our oligarchs have seeded the poorly educated, familiar with poverty masses, with mountains of fresh manure-smelling hate, again. Once again, I work in fear often again.

I work in healthcare

I work in healthcare

I work in social work and am a single parent

I work in the medical field

I work in the medical field and most of my family are redneck and pretty racist or homophobic 😒 but as long as i don't say im a girl then they won't disown me (I'm not trans but still)

I work in Theatre which is a very accepting field for anyone.

I work retail. I haven't been able to access healthcare for about 3 years because of the cost, but before that, my doctor was extremely dismissive of me being ace and enby. I haven't actually met people here, outside of my immediate friend group, who will respect my chosen pronouns. I'm not a parent.

I work with LGBTQ youth and want more resources

I'm a doctor of physical therapy

I'm a farmer/rancher

I'm a foster parent. I know there is Queer Families in Southern Oregon, but I've yet to make connection there.

I'm a parent and a teacher.

I'm a parent and in a hetero partnership, and I feel like my queer identity is usually invisible to those around me unless I speak to it with words or if they know me well.

i'm a parent but don't see them

I'm a parent.

I'm a single parent, working part-time b/c childcare is too expensive to justify working FT.

I'm a student, and I don't work anywhere, so I'm busking for money

I'm a widow. My husband was a crossdresser.

I'm also fat and that's important because I experience an intersection of transphobia, homophobia, fatphobia, ableism, and classism in southern Oregon and beyond that affect my ability to access resources.

I'm Canadian, holding an artist visa which restricts the kind of work I can do and my access to resources (health and social resources).

I'm just a 20 something with a roommate who doesn't even know me.

I'm married (to a lesbian) and a parent of 2 young adult children (who both live in California.

I'm non-monogamous

I'm pretty visibly queer so I think that contributes to my discomfort. Not straight passing.

I'm the first person in my family to complete college (albeit just an Associate's Degree). I'm childfree. I can't drive due to vehicle-related PTSD. I was in the TAG and College Dreams programs.

I've been identified as a sex offender. As such, I'm a very lonely man. I pray to the gods that nobody finds out. I would prefer that they know that I'm bisexual.

I’m a classroom assistant at the same middle school that I attended ten years ago. I know that me and my friends were bullied for being queer. I have queer students and I try to provide support where I can but I am not confident that their needs are being met. The MSD posted a post about accepting LGBTQ students but I have yet to see concrete proof of that.

I’m a dancer and actor through a youth group, and I work mostly in food service

I’m a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist; married; semi-retired.

I’m a parent of a trans child

I’m a parent, I’m married to a gender affirming partner

I’m a student and get financial help from my parents

I’m a trans man and I’m trying to move out from my transphobic family.

I’m AFAB and just got married to my wife who is also AFAB

I’m married. We are both currently unemployed. I get disability benefits.

Im a CNA in Ashland

Im a single parent of two boys who are both lgbtq identifing

Im a therapist

Immigrant

in a triad with one female (romantic) and one male (platonic), we have 2 kids (6 and 4)

Just a queer person who looks like a girl who struggles with chronic pain and her mental health. I care deeply for our LGBTQ community and truly wish to be more involved, but my presentation feels like a barrier. I also do not wish to change my presentation, because I love my long hair and generally feminine look. ): Trying to attend queer events makes me feel out of place and like an intruder, even if I truly do belong there.

Just to broaden on a question asked earlier: I am physically disabled (legally blind) and mentally as well (anxiety disorder, ADHD, OCD). These are invisible disabilities. On an individual, interpersonal level, I feel supported, but my school has a tendency to "support" people with these problems as long as they do not exhibit any symptoms whatsoever. Basically, "we support you but as long as you remain convenient for us".

K-12 educator, parent of two, previously divorced and now partnered

Law student

Librarian, caregiver for disabled partner

life long lesbian

Living with a few friends because I became houseless

Local Business Owner, Southern Oregon local

Mama of 2 unschooled kiddos

Married to a bisexual cis man

Married, grand parent, retired biologist, military medic during Korean conflict, long time advocate and educator for LGBT communities

Mental health issues and lack of help

Mental health practitioner

Mild, unclockable asperger's if that's remotely relevant.

Millennial, specifically a 2008 college graduate.

Mother of 2 (now adults) / Disabled

mother, poet, social worker

Mother, Wife of a Veteran

My family immigrated to the US from Italy, I work 3 jobs (receptionist, delivery driver, illustrator), Single with no kids

My family receives section8 housing assistance.

My sister was a teen mother and my borther moved out at 15.

N/A

N/A

newly self-employed

No

No

No

No

nomadic

Non-binary and pan-sexual, but I pass. Having a female (if sometimes butch) appearance and being married to a cis-male, it makes it really easy to pass.

Not at this moment

Openly gay, ex-Mormon, abuse survivor, business owner

Paralegal/sociologist

Parent

parent

Parent and grandparent. Retired

Parent and teacher

Parent as well

Parent grandparentvv

Parent of two young kids. Very rural. Isolated :/

Parent, activist, artist,

Parent, non-profit worker

Parent, poly, southern expat

Parent, teacher in public school

Parent, widow, trans-inclusive feminist, primary breadwinner, full time worker. Educated (6 years of college)

Parent. Educator. Grew up in Portland so I’ve only spent a few years living in a restrictive place like this

Preschool teacher, attending sou, have anxiety, depression and have aspergers

Probably autistic

Professional / Business Owner

Programmer/Analyst, Married (to another woman)

PTSD traumatized by conservative right wing fundamentalist religious totalitarian authoritarian parents in the Carolinas

Queer parent of a biracial child on the autism spectrum

RCC Prof., Master's Degree from SFSU, married to my wife since 2008, together since 2004.

Recovery - AA

Reproductive and sex health care

Retail cashier

Retail worker

Retired

retired Drug & Alcohol Counselor, and past Insurance Salesperson

Retired hippie nurse, deadhead

RN, becoming an FNP

Sales Executive, parent, church governing board member, step-mom and wife

sex worker

sexual abuse survivor, sober

Single parent

Single parent

single parent

single parent

Single parent, work in schools

Single, ethically non monogamous parent, with two children

Sissy Slut

Social Worker/Mental Health Therapist

Stay at home parent. Wife works.

Step-parent, connected to the SOU teaching community

Strict mexican houshold

Teacher

Teacher

Teacher

Teacher, parent, adoptive parent

Teacher, parent, grandparent, married, in recovery

That income is for 2 teens also.

Therapist

Therapist at outpatient community health center, married to same-sex partner, no children

Trying to start a handmade creative business. I'm in a semi-open relationship with a long term partner.

"Underground." It feels like there are a lot of queer folks in Ashland, but I can't find ways to connect with them.

As an outside to it I don't have much of an opinion.

Can’t seem to find it/haven’t reached out much

Clique-y. Even though I should feel welcomed and a part of something, I still feel judged, alone, and like I'm not "queer enough" or queer in the right ways.

Decentralized, word of mouth, hard to find

Don't have answer...don't relate well to community

don't know many because there is nowhere to hangout and meet

Don't much know the larger, younger, more GBTQ+ community; have not felt welcomed the times I've reached out.

Fabulous, but cautious.

Fairly large but somewhat in hiding due to large number of conservatives in the area

from what I know/have gotten to see: resilient, covert, land liberation-oriented, transient, politically radical, extremely skilled, loving, talented

generally low key

Guarded

Guarded

Guarded and hidden.

Half the community is openly out and the other half hides in fear.

Hard to find

have not met anyone here who is LGBT (moved from bay area a couple years ago)

Hidden

Hidden

Hidden

Hidden

Hidden and scared

Hidden pockets of individuals surrounded by an oppressive majority

Hidden, quiet, and unorganized.

Hidden, quiet, strong, ready to defend and fight.

Hidden.

Hidden. I know we're out there, I just don't know where.

hidden/ isolated/ not interested in making new friends if they are partnered

Hiding

Honestly, I don't know. I was a little more aware as a young involved queer in high school, but moving back after college I haven't really been able to get involved and connect much. Partially because of my previous work schedule and partially because there don't seem to be many opportunities, at least not that I know of.

I barely experience it. It’s not apparent to me where I would find this community of my peers.

I don't attend many LGTBQ community functions

I don't get out much...

I don't know

I don't know if there is one here, but Ashland is nearby and it seems like it has a slightly more active community.

I don't know.

I don't really get out as much as I should, but if there is an active gay community here...I sure do not know about it.

I don’t know where it is

I don’t think have a local community. I go to pride every year in Ashland but am introverted so I don’t really meet people.

I fell the community is hidden and unless you know of a business or place to go it’s hard to find.

I haven’t really found it...

i know it exists, but frankly, we feel invisible!

I know it exists, but there isn't much public acknowledgement of it.

I would describe it as pretty nonexistent? I mean, I think most of the people of Medford are tolerant, but I still wouldn't feel accepted if I walked with my girlfriend down the street holding hands. There's not much of a celebration of being queer here.

I'm not really aware that there is one

I'm sure there is a community here, but it seems to be more at the college and not the general population.

I've been too shy to go meet them

I’m sure it exists, but I haven’t really looked for it.

In hiding, elusive, hard to access

In pain

invisible

Invisible

Invisible

Invisible and without needed services and resources, Very concerned about isolated and alone and possible ill LGBTQ+ disabled persons and older adults

It is strong but subdued due to the conservatism in politics and social norms.

It primarily caters towards people of either younger or older age groups. Finding any community or events in my specific age range has been extremely difficult, and I struggle to meet people my own age to relate to. While I enjoy attending events primarily attended by people older than myself, it can often feel isolating as well.

It seems to exist but I have yet to engage with the community here

It's hard to Guage. I feel like I know a lot of people who are part of thr community but it seems like we flock together, so it's a disproportionate view.

It's hard to tell to be honest. I personally believe that it's small like the Black community in Ashland, Or, and the majority of everyone else are allies

It's obsolete, I see lgbt out but never have the courage to approach. I see more and more lgbt out and about within the last year.

It's pretty good, but also most of us hide unless it's the pride parade or Halloween, so I rarely ever knowingly see other lgbtqia+ people

It's pretty non-existent, or hidden very well from public view.

It’s good but homophobia runs rampant

It’s there but there are many obstacles to visibility. I only know other students

It’s there I just don’t see it too often physically

Lacking and insular

Limited and mostly underground

Limited. While I feel accepted, I don't feel there is a large LGBTQ+ community in our area

Minimal and basically in hiding

Most of the adults whom I know are out and comfortable, and younger people are definitely in a better place as a whole than when I was younger. But I know plenty of younger folks whose family/community do not accept them for who they are.

Mostly invisible. Non-expressive.

Non existent. We hide.

Non-visible.

Nonexistent - don’t know nothing about it

Nonexistent or in hiding

not around

Not helpful for people like me who are searching. They seem to want affirmed and out of the closet members, I have reached out to several groups and have not gotten responses.

Not sure

Not sure how to tap into it or if it exists

Not to visible

Not very visible or easily accessible

Not very visible.

Not visible

Not visible

Not visible, very little activity or groups for social/political gathering, spread out across the county

Present but not always public.

Pretty invisible

Pretty small and not very out in the open and obvious

Pretty strong? But definitely not super "loud"

Queer folk are out there, I just don't know or interact with many folks on queer-only basis.

Quiet

Quiet and fragmented

quiet and older

Quite a few kids in the community, I almost never see adults and honestly the community isn’t really addressed at my school or by the town I live in.

Scattered - no central hub or meetup place for conversation, community building, etc. Everyone kind of does their own thing, and it takes a while to build community little by little.

Secretive

Selectively accepting

Small and hard to find

Small and hard to find.

small and quiet

Small and without much to do socially. If there are things, I don’t know about them.

Small, hard to access outside of coworkers, non-social. There aren't big turnouts for events that are put on.

Small, underground

Small/closeted

somewhat of a mystery to me. maybe because i never had the freedom to explore my identity or my sexuality growing up, and after moving back have been very introverted for various reasons (both by choice and due to health issues, big life changes that have kept me focused internally, etc). more than anything i am familiar with the LGBTQ+ community that my mom (a lesbian woman) is connected with, and that is a completely different generation which i’ve only felt a part of sort of peripherally. i’ve wanted to connect more with younger circles of LGBTQ+ comrades in my community, just haven’t had the time /space/opportunity/courage to put myself out there.

Somewhat underground and disconnected

Sparse, fierce, isolated, brilliant, radical, eclectic, wild, rural queers, land-loving, pretty invisible but everywhere, amazing history, spread out.

Specifically tied to other communities (in college, or working for the theatre)

Spread out, disjointed, quiet.

surprisingly large but lacking organization/structure (events/safe spaces to congregate or meet other like-minded individuals)

The community has disconnected clusters of LGBTQ+ friends/groups that don't seem to connect; it is very difficult for shy individuals or newly out LGBTQ+ people to make connections because of how guarded these groups are And I will say pretty biphobic and dismissive of "hetero passing" couples who are part of the LGBTQ+ community

The majority of the lgbtq population in this County is still closeted but things are getting better and more people are coming forward to express their authenticity

The town is very accepting but it seems to be mainly students and older professionals? It’s difficult to find queer people around my age unless I just don’t know how to connect with them.

there is never anything going on here except once a year. For the gay pride parade e

there is not much to do here. And I don't know how to get connected

There's not one. Also not in people's reality; they don't know we're gay, that they're surrounded by gay people. Used to be a stereotype but now it's harder to tell. Chris used to take Frank to store and they thought they were together.

They seem to keep to themselves in a don’t ask don’t tell kind of way. It’s sad.

Tight knit and subjective. Like you need to prove yourself and your identity. It feels like people are gatekeeping who are and aren't lgbtq. It feels I'm not welcome, because I'm non-binary, and that identity is frequently looked down appon because it's seen as a joke and invalidating binary trans people.

Unknown.

very small and not clearly visible

Vibrant but hidden most of the time

Vibrant in Ashland. Love it at SOU. Not really visible anywhere else. I'm not sure what that means though.

vibrant yet small and tight knit with not a lot of access points outside of social connections (aka not aware of organizations or other forms of activity and how to access those)

What community? How do I find/access it?

What’s that!

vibrant yet small and tight knit with not a lot of access points outside of social connections (aka not aware of organizations or other forms of activity and how to access those)

Awesome :) but also small in numbers for my age group

Little but amazing people

Positive but small.

small and vibrant

Small but effective

Small but generally accepting.

Small but growing, and mighty... committed to each other, brilliant, eager...

Small but super strong

Small yet passionate but

Small, but friendly.

Very (too) small, very (too) white, but beautiful.

Welcoming and nice, but small

Welcoming but small

Lacking and insular

Small and without much to do socially. If there are things, I don’t know about them.

Small, hard to access outside of coworkers, non-social. There aren't big turnouts for events that are put on.

Close-knit but small

Exists, just in small small groups and very rare it feels

Few and scattered not very many permanent residents.

I’m Williams, nonexistent. In jo.co. Barely there. In southern Oregon, better but needs help.

Me, my partner, and 2 friends. It's very small. The Sou community is generally much younger, white, and not willing to acknowledge their racism (though not all). It feels pretty hopeless here in terms of finding a safe, inclusive, supportive community with all the necessary resources. It's depressing.

Not too much

Small group of close friends.

Small, cliques

Small, inactive

Small, isolated

Small, spread out. No place to gather openly and safely.

smallsocial group

Some lgbtq folks most who know eachother

It's hard to tell to be honest. I personally believe that it's small like the Black community in Ashland, Or, and the majority of everyone else are allies

Limited and mostly underground

Limited. While I feel accepted, I don't feel there is a large LGBTQ+ community in our area

Minimal and basically in hiding

Pretty small and not very out in the open and obvious

Small and hard to find

Small and hard to find.

small and quiet

Small, underground

Small/closeted

very small and not clearly visible

I feel my local LGBTQ+ community is relatively small and not very diverse.

Its not very big for sure but they are welcoming.

Limited

Limited

Limited

Minimal

Minimal.

not very large

Small

Small

Small

small

Small

small

Small

Small & geared towards older people.

small for my age

Small group, interspersed with heterosexual folks and other non conforming alternative lifestyle folks

small, but growing

Smallish

Very minimal

I would describe it as pretty nonexistent? I mean, I think most of the people of Medford are tolerant, but I still wouldn't feel accepted if I walked with my girlfriend down the street holding hands. There's not much of a celebration of being queer here.

I don't feel like we are much of a community. Even pre-covid, there wasn't much gathering besides pride.

Nearly non-existent. "Community" is a challenging word because even if I identify on the same spectrum as someone else, doesn't mean I feel connected communally with them. I wish I knew more queer people with similar interests as me who were my age.

No LGBTQ+ community

Not seen em in a few years ._.

Not sure there is one - or if there is, maybe it’s a more exclusive group?

There really isn't one as far as I know. Not an organized one anyway. My community is my friends I guess.

Virtually nonexistent as a unified community

have not met anyone here who is LGBT (moved from bay area a couple years ago)

I barely experience it. It’s not apparent to me where I would find this community of my peers.

I don’t think have a local community. I go to pride every year in Ashland but am introverted so I don’t really meet people.

I'm not really aware that there is one

It's pretty non-existent, or hidden very well from public view.

Non existent. We hide.

Nonexistent - don’t know nothing about it

Nonexistent or in hiding

not around

There's not one. Also not in people's reality; they don't know we're gay, that they're surrounded by gay people. Used to be a stereotype but now it's harder to tell. Chris used to take Frank to store and they thought they were together.

What community? How do I find/access it?

What’s that!

Absent

almost non-existent. but we moved here from SF about 5 years ago, so our perspective might be skewed!

Almost nonexistent.

Almost nonexistent.

Barely existent due to population density and flight from the area by young queers to cities.

Barely there

Eagle Point - doesn’t exist

Feom the past...a lot got wiped out by hiv

I feel like theres not a lot in the town I live

I live in Merlin. non-existent? Or at least not interesting to me. I'm jaded now and not really interested in people just because they're LGBTQ.

In Central Point it’s non-existent and I frequently get glared at by strangers for going on a walk and holding my wife’s hand.

Lame. Nonexistent. Ask me AFTER COVID

Nearly non-existent

Nearly nonexistent

Non existent except in my own household

Non existent

Non existent

Non existent

Non existent or just dudes wanting to fuck

non existent really

Non existent. My parents called for an endocrinologist and some didn’t know why or what I needed. That sucked. My mom contacted OHSU in Portland to get a referral.

Non-existent

Non-existent basically

Non-existent.

Non-existent. There does seem to be somewhat of an L community and a G community, although they are both white focused.

Non-existing

None

Nonexistent

Nonexistent

Nonexistent

nonexistent, predatory. I have almost been abducted twice.

Nonexistent.

Nonexistent.

Not existing

There isn't one I am aware of.

There isn’t a good one.

There isn’t much of one, more of an online presence.

There isn’t one I’m aware of

virtually non-existant and extremely white and mostly racist

Virtually nonexistent

It’s flourishing and quite nice! I wish there were more dedicated queer spaces, and more spaces for people who don’t present or cannot present as their gender or in a way that is comfortable for them.

Lacking leadership and organization

Large, not very connected.

Me, my partner, and 2 friends. It's very small. The Sou community is generally much younger, white, and not willing to acknowledge their racism (though not all). It feels pretty hopeless here in terms of finding a safe, inclusive, supportive community with all the necessary resources. It's depressing.

Most people I talk to: Older. Rural. Settled. Stable. My impression of the younger local community: unsettled, isolated, need connection.

mostly youth; disconnected

Nearly non-existent. "Community" is a challenging word because even if I identify on the same spectrum as someone else, doesn't mean I feel connected communally with them. I wish I knew more queer people with similar interests as me who were my age.

Needs more

No LGBTQ+ community

Not active enough to form an opinion

Not centered around being lgbtq

Not many resources.

Not organized or connected since the Abdill/Ellis center closed

Not seen em in a few years ._.

Not sure there is one - or if there is, maybe it’s a more exclusive group?

Not thriving

Not too much

open with their identities, but mostly in their own circles of friends.

outskirts

Pretty wide spread

Scattered

Scattered.

Scattered. Ashland-based Clique.

Small group of close friends.

Small, cliques

Small, inactive

Small, isolated

Small, spread out. No place to gather openly and safely.

smallsocial group

Some lgbtq folks most who know eachother

Sparse

Sparse

sparse

Sparse and scared except when I see someone really blatant and braver than any marine and then I cry

Sparse and very gay or lesbian oriented. Not at all queer.

Sparse or isolated

Sparse?

sparse? but welcoming

Sparse.

Sparse.

Spread out

spread out

Spread out and only specific events I didn't always feel comfortable in

Spread out, stuck up, only wants a quick thing.

There are a few pockets of Lesbians here and there, and also the Wolf Creek sanctuary of the Radical Fairies......

There are many gay people but few community spaces for us

There are plenty of LGBTQ people of all ages but there are no major places or events to really congregate.

There is a fairly visible LGBTQ+ community in Ashland, however, there are not any single organizations locally serving the LGBTQ+ community directly other than the LGBTQ+ student organization at SOU, the library which offers one program for the LGBTQ+ community. There are some social events through Meetup, but I have never attended any of the offerings listed. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival also offers some LGBTQ+-centered programming.

There is a large, lovely inclusive queer population here but we need a designated safe space and official community organization.

There really isn't one as far as I know. Not an organized one anyway. My community is my friends I guess.

There's a gay men's potluck group that meets regularly that welcomes by attendance, but I find myself sharing few values or interests with the others in attendance and thus rarely attend.

Tight-knit

uncollected

VERY large, but very dispersed and not too prideful of who we are on a community level. It's kind of like we all are proud of who we are but LGBTQ+ students struggle to be the opposite of stereotypes so as not to be "those gay people", giving us not a lot of wiggle room to be ourselves.

Virtually nonexistent as a unified community

While there are queer folks that live here, we don’t have any designated queer spaces for socializing like a gay bar or similar

Wonderful amazing people who are very busy, mostly poor, and live very spread out. We don't see each other a lot.

Sparse, fierce, isolated, brilliant, radical, eclectic, wild, rural queers, land-loving, pretty invisible but everywhere, amazing history, spread out.

vibrant yet small and tight knit with not a lot of access points outside of social connections (aka not aware of organizations or other forms of activity and how to access those)

Depends on how localized we're talking. The vast majority of kids who live in White City, Eagle Point, or Shady Creek go to the same school so all the LGBTQ+ kids are just one big friend group and that's the "LGBTQ+ community". But I've never had a real conversation with an LGBTQ+ person that doesn't go to my school, I don't think.

Disconnected. A lot of us were alienated by the leader ship of lotus rising and so haven’t been connected in sometime. Poor Gina is doing too much work on her own! But, there are a lot of us here especially in Talent and we are pretty proud.

Fairly disjointed but surprisingly radical at least amongst the young queers.

Good and supportive at school. Does not feel connected to the community outside of school.

I have a handful of friends

It’s flourishing and quite nice! I wish there were more dedicated queer spaces, and more spaces for people who don’t present or cannot present as their gender or in a way that is comfortable for them.

open with their identities, but mostly in their own circles of friends.

sparse? but welcoming

There is a fairly visible LGBTQ+ community in Ashland, however, there are not any single organizations locally serving the LGBTQ+ community directly other than the LGBTQ+ student organization at SOU, the library which offers one program for the LGBTQ+ community. There are some social events through Meetup, but I have never attended any of the offerings listed. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival also offers some LGBTQ+-centered programming.

There is a large, lovely inclusive queer population here but we need a designated safe space and official community organization.

VERY large, but very dispersed and not too prideful of who we are on a community level. It's kind of like we all are proud of who we are but LGBTQ+ students struggle to be the opposite of stereotypes so as not to be "those gay people", giving us not a lot of wiggle room to be ourselves.

While there are queer folks that live here, we don’t have any designated queer spaces for socializing like a gay bar or similar

Wonderful amazing people who are very busy, mostly poor, and live very spread out. We don't see each other a lot.

Fabulous, but cautious.

from what I know/have gotten to see: resilient, covert, land liberation-oriented, transient, politically radical, extremely skilled, loving, talented

Hidden, quiet, strong, ready to defend and fight.

It is strong but subdued due to the conservatism in politics and social norms.

It's hard to Guage. I feel like I know a lot of people who are part of thr community but it seems like we flock together, so it's a disproportionate view.

It's pretty good, but also most of us hide unless it's the pride parade or Halloween, so I rarely ever knowingly see other lgbtqia+ people

It’s good but homophobia runs rampant

Present but not always public.

Pretty strong? But definitely not super "loud"

Vibrant but hidden most of the time

Vibrant in Ashland. Love it at SOU. Not really visible anywhere else. I'm not sure what that means though.

Active and community driven

Active on a good level

alive and well

at school, i describe the community as varied when it comes to age/background and open to discussion about difficult topics.

Awesome :) but also small in numbers for my age group

Broadly colorful and usually as happy as most.

Decent

Decent. A lot of wonderful people. Besides school organizations and clubs through schools, very few resources for the older LGBTQ+ community!

Everyone is pretty open and they feel accepted

Finally thriving

Fun and inviting

Good for social connections though have yet to sense a commitment to justice which is a part of the identity in my opinion.

Good from who I know. I’m only connected to lgbtq youth

Good in Ashland, not great elsewhere.

Good, all very kind people

great

healthy, accepted,

I am close friends with people in the queer community and we socialize often.

I feel really fortunate that there are quite a few queers in the area and I have folks I could call upon if I needed help. There are folks of all ages and experiences! Many of us have to travel long distances to see each other , but it is comforting knowing they are here!

I have some neighbors who are transitioning in their sexuality, though I don't know them, and I have friends in the LGBTQ community here locally

I often notice it to be young and somewhat exclusive of folks that aren't so obviously queer. I'd also describe it as colorful and proud!

I run in the circles of older lesbians that are established in the area via the women's lands, and get to rub shoulders on occasion with younger queer folk at the faerie sanctuary in Wolf Creek.

I'd say it's got a fairly strong presence. In high school too.

Little but amazing people

Most of the people in the community are super supportive and kind but I have encountered some who aren't.

Mostly supportive.

Much bigger than most people would think and women eager to help and be part of something bigger!

Nice

Okay

Open and accepting, from the few experiences we have had.

Open, friendly, welcoming

Open, friendly, welcoming, engaging, supportive, and understanding.

Open, welcoming

Opne loving accepting

Positive but small.

Positive.

Present and visible, but lacking diversity

Pretty alright, but some are not so lovely - there can still be judgement and hate from within the community. Also, mostly referencing Ashland since most time is spent there.

Pretty prominent and outspoken

Pretty robust, considering how rural the area is!

radical

Really good supportive lesbian community

small and vibrant

Small but effective

Small but generally accepting.

Small but growing, and mighty... committed to each other, brilliant, eager...

Small but super strong

Small yet passionate but

Small, but friendly.

Solid, loving, getting old

Somewhat elitist, but still friendly and helpful.

Strong, kind, supportive.

Strong, vibrant, and human

Supportive and active

The community is present and in some ways it is accepted in the broader community. However, it privileges and can be dominated by white queers.

Thriving. Ashland has a lot more LGTBQ+ people and acceptance than other places I have lived. Also 2020 has more acceptance than 2010 for LGTBQ+ people.

Very (too) small, very (too) white, but beautiful.

very active and accepting of other gender types, but ignoring of bisexual males

Very diverse in terms of gender and sexuality. Very normalized and accepting.

Very good or Excellent

Vibrant!

We are very fortunate here in Ashland with our generally very accepting community

Welcoming

Welcoming and helpful

Welcoming and nice, but small

Welcoming but small

Welcoming, dynamic and supportive

Welcoming/ diverse

Wonderful overall

Me, my partner, and 2 friends. It's very small. The Sou community is generally much younger, white, and not willing to acknowledge their racism (though not all). It feels pretty hopeless here in terms of finding a safe, inclusive, supportive community with all the necessary resources. It's depressing.

virtually non-existant and extremely white and mostly racist

I often notice it to be young and somewhat exclusive of folks that aren't so obviously queer. I'd also describe it as colorful and proud!

Pretty alright, but some are not so lovely - there can still be judgement and hate from within the community. Also, mostly referencing Ashland since most time is spent there.

The community is present and in some ways it is accepted in the broader community. However, it privileges and can be dominated by white queers.

very active and accepting of other gender types, but ignoring of bisexual males

The community has disconnected clusters of LGBTQ+ friends/groups that don't seem to connect; it is very difficult for shy individuals or newly out LGBTQ+ people to make connections because of how guarded these groups are And I will say pretty biphobic and dismissive of "hetero passing" couples who are part of the LGBTQ+ community

Tight knit and subjective. Like you need to prove yourself and your identity. It feels like people are gatekeeping who are and aren't lgbtq. It feels I'm not welcome, because I'm non-binary, and that identity is frequently looked down appon because it's seen as a joke and invalidating binary trans people.

Sparse and very gay or lesbian oriented. Not at all queer.

It primarily caters towards people of either younger or older age groups. Finding any community or events in my specific age range has been extremely difficult, and I struggle to meet people my own age to relate to. While I enjoy attending events primarily attended by people older than myself, it can often feel isolating as well.

A lot of great individuals and some effective leadership, but also bi erasure and very white-washed

Behind the times. They tend to be second wave feminists and anti-trans and discounting of asexuals.

homogenous, mostly white cis lesbians 50 and up

Homonormative and whitenormative.

somewhat accepting, but out of touch

White LGBQ community is prioritized/centered in most of the events and community based work.

Lame. Nonexistent. Ask me AFTER COVID

nonexistent, predatory. I have almost been abducted twice.

open with their identities, but mostly in their own circles of friends.

Most of the people in the community are super supportive and kind but I have encountered some who aren't.

Somewhat elitist, but still friendly and helpful.

Clique-y. Even though I should feel welcomed and a part of something, I still feel judged, alone, and like I'm not "queer enough" or queer in the right ways.

Detached, dysfunctional, broken

Exclusive

I don’t feel like I belong. There are major disconnects within the community and it seems most queer folks do their own thing and keep within their own groups of friends.

Not organized or connected since the Abdill/Ellis center closed

Scattered. Ashland-based Clique.

Spread out and only specific events I didn't always feel comfortable in

Spread out, stuck up, only wants a quick thing.

There's a gay men's potluck group that meets regularly that welcomes by attendance, but I find myself sharing few values or interests with the others in attendance and thus rarely attend.

Don't have answer...don't relate well to community

Don't much know the larger, younger, more GBTQ+ community; have not felt welcomed the times I've reached out.

hidden/ isolated/ not interested in making new friends if they are partnered

In pain

Not helpful for people like me who are searching. They seem to want affirmed and out of the closet members, I have reached out to several groups and have not gotten responses.

Selectively accepting

They seem to keep to themselves in a don’t ask don’t tell kind of way. It’s sad.

A bit in your face and aggressive, I know a lot of people who avoid the resource center because it makes them uncomfortable.

A lot of the time people in Ashland, at SOU especially seem like they are trying a little too hard to be inclusive of everyone and are walking on eggshells, but also dismiss anyones opinions who do not fit their narrative.

Affluent gay men, coupled up lesbians my age and people half my age or younger, who all, by the way, treat me like a pariah, too.

Aggressive

Closed. If you’re not a “traditional” lesbian or a teenager you tend to be ostracized

I lived here a long time, and i think many lesbians here aren't accepting of leather dykes.

In Southern Oregon it's lame, main-stream, mostly neo-liberal or, just-as-bad, conservative. Wolf creek radical faerie sanctuary is stuck in identity politics and it's own internal drama that is unbearable at times

no easy to be around

Rude, unwelcoming, judge mental, unfriendly.

Since joining a hetero partnership I feel like the handful of LGBTQ+ community and friends I had have distanced themselves and now I'm maybe less queer to them or less interesting to hang out with. Feels lonely to be queer and kind of invisible and feel kind of shut out of both worlds (straight world and gay world) by community for being me.

Sucks

varied and out of touch

At SOU it is mostly young college students, but the greater rouge valley only has events for older LGBT people it seems

There are a lot of youth! I'm so happy to see kids embracing themselves fully. I find it harder to connect with folks in the community who are my age (potentially bc I didn't attend college, so I missed out on those connections)

mostly youth; disconnected

I often notice it to be young and somewhat exclusive of folks that aren't so obviously queer. I'd also describe it as colorful and proud!

A lot of great individuals and some effective leadership, but also bi erasure and very white-washed

We do have a large population of young people with fluid sexualities and gender identities. Many people in the teens to early-mid 20s are people who I know who are not cishet.

Me, my partner, and 2 friends. It's very small. The Sou community is generally much younger, white, and not willing to acknowledge their racism (though not all). It feels pretty hopeless here in terms of finding a safe, inclusive, supportive community with all the necessary resources. It's depressing.

virtually non-existant and extremely white and mostly racist

Pretty alright, but some are not so lovely - there can still be judgement and hate from within the community. Also, mostly referencing Ashland since most time is spent there.

The community is present and in some ways it is accepted in the broader community. However, it privileges and can be dominated by white queers.

very active and accepting of other gender types, but ignoring of bisexual males

The community has disconnected clusters of LGBTQ+ friends/groups that don't seem to connect; it is very difficult for shy individuals or newly out LGBTQ+ people to make connections because of how guarded these groups are And I will say pretty biphobic and dismissive of "hetero passing" couples who are part of the LGBTQ+ community

Tight knit and subjective. Like you need to prove yourself and your identity. It feels like people are gatekeeping who are and aren't lgbtq. It feels I'm not welcome, because I'm non-binary, and that identity is frequently looked down appon because it's seen as a joke and invalidating binary trans people.

Sparse and very gay or lesbian oriented. Not at all queer.

It primarily caters towards people of either younger or older age groups. Finding any community or events in my specific age range has been extremely difficult, and I struggle to meet people my own age to relate to. While I enjoy attending events primarily attended by people older than myself, it can often feel isolating as well.

Behind the times. They tend to be second wave feminists and anti-trans and discounting of asexuals.

homogenous, mostly white cis lesbians 50 and up

Homonormative and whitenormative.

somewhat accepting, but out of touch

White LGBQ community is prioritized/centered in most of the events and community based work.

Very (too) small, very (too) white, but beautiful.

I feel my local LGBTQ+ community is relatively small and not very diverse.

Small & geared towards older people.

small for my age

Nearly non-existent. "Community" is a challenging word because even if I identify on the same spectrum as someone else, doesn't mean I feel connected communally with them. I wish I knew more queer people with similar interests as me who were my age.

Non-existent. There does seem to be somewhat of an L community and a G community, although they are both white focused.

Present and visible, but lacking diversity

Solid, loving, getting old

Quite a few kids in the community, I almost never see adults and honestly the community isn’t really addressed at my school or by the town I live in.

It’s there but there are many obstacles to visibility. I only know other students

quiet and older

somewhat of a mystery to me. maybe because i never had the freedom to explore my identity or my sexuality growing up, and after moving back have been very introverted for various reasons (both by choice and due to health issues, big life changes that have kept me focused internally, etc). more than anything i am familiar with the LGBTQ+ community that my mom (a lesbian woman) is connected with, and that is a completely different generation which i’ve only felt a part of sort of peripherally. i’ve wanted to connect more with younger circles of LGBTQ+ comrades in my community, just haven’t had the time /space/opportunity/courage to put myself out there.

The town is very accepting but it seems to be mainly students and older professionals? It’s difficult to find queer people around my age unless I just don’t know how to connect with them.

A lot of great individuals and some effective leadership, but also bi erasure and very white-washed

Don't much know the larger, younger, more GBTQ+ community; have not felt welcomed the times I've reached out.

There are a lot of youth! I'm so happy to see kids embracing themselves fully. I find it harder to connect with folks in the community who are my age (potentially bc I didn't attend college, so I missed out on those connections)

We do have a large population of young people with fluid sexualities and gender identities. Many people in the teens to early-mid 20s are people who I know who are not cishet.

Sparse, fierce, isolated, brilliant, radical, eclectic, wild, rural queers, land-loving, pretty invisible but everywhere, amazing history, spread out.

Disconnected. A lot of us were alienated by the leader ship of lotus rising and so haven’t been connected in sometime. Poor Gina is doing too much work on her own! But, there are a lot of us here especially in Talent and we are pretty proud.

There is a fairly visible LGBTQ+ community in Ashland, however, there are not any single organizations locally serving the LGBTQ+ community directly other than the LGBTQ+ student organization at SOU, the library which offers one program for the LGBTQ+ community. There are some social events through Meetup, but I have never attended any of the offerings listed. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival also offers some LGBTQ+-centered programming.

There is a large, lovely inclusive queer population here but we need a designated safe space and official community organization.

VERY large, but very dispersed and not too prideful of who we are on a community level. It's kind of like we all are proud of who we are but LGBTQ+ students struggle to be the opposite of stereotypes so as not to be "those gay people", giving us not a lot of wiggle room to be ourselves.

I feel really fortunate that there are quite a few queers in the area and I have folks I could call upon if I needed help. There are folks of all ages and experiences! Many of us have to travel long distances to see each other , but it is comforting knowing they are here!

Much bigger than most people would think and women eager to help and be part of something bigger!

Thriving. Ashland has a lot more LGTBQ+ people and acceptance than other places I have lived. Also 2020 has more acceptance than 2010 for LGTBQ+ people.

surprisingly large but lacking organization/structure (events/safe spaces to congregate or meet other like-minded individuals)

Bigger than most people realize it is, but very disconnected

Disconnected. I know there are many of us but it feels like we all live so separately.

Large, not very connected.

Pretty wide spread

There are many gay people but few community spaces for us

There are plenty of LGBTQ people of all ages but there are no major places or events to really congregate.

Fairly large but somewhat in hiding due to large number of conservatives in the area

A lot

Numerous

There are more openly gay people and trans people than where I grew up which is nice. Being at school I think makes me more in tune with that community than if I weren’t. There could always be more though!

I feel really fortunate that there are quite a few queers in the area and I have folks I could call upon if I needed help. There are folks of all ages and experiences! Many of us have to travel long distances to see each other , but it is comforting knowing they are here!

There are plenty of LGBTQ people of all ages but there are no major places or events to really congregate.

I often notice it to be young and somewhat exclusive of folks that aren't so obviously queer. I'd also describe it as colorful and proud!

Most of the people in the community are super supportive and kind but I have encountered some who aren't.

varied and out of touch

Small group, interspersed with heterosexual folks and other non conforming alternative lifestyle folks

at school, i describe the community as varied when it comes to age/background and open to discussion about difficult topics.

Broadly colorful and usually as happy as most.

I run in the circles of older lesbians that are established in the area via the women's lands, and get to rub shoulders on occasion with younger queer folk at the faerie sanctuary in Wolf Creek.

Very diverse in terms of gender and sexuality. Very normalized and accepting.

Welcoming/ diverse

Diverse, spread out, disconnected

Most people I talk to: Older. Rural. Settled. Stable. My impression of the younger local community: unsettled, isolated, need connection.

There are more openly gay people and trans people than where I grew up which is nice. Being at school I think makes me more in tune with that community than if I weren’t. There could always be more though!

Small but growing, and mighty... committed to each other, brilliant, eager...

small, but growing

It’s flourishing and quite nice! I wish there were more dedicated queer spaces, and more spaces for people who don’t present or cannot present as their gender or in a way that is comfortable for them.

It's obsolete, I see lgbt out but never have the courage to approach. I see more and more lgbt out and about within the last year.

Most of the adults whom I know are out and comfortable, and younger people are definitely in a better place as a whole than when I was younger. But I know plenty of younger folks whose family/community do not accept them for who they are.

The majority of the lgbtq population in this County is still closeted but things are getting better and more people are coming forward to express their authenticity

Developing

Growing, but definitely not where I want it to be.

It is becoming more visible, but still needs more options and resources.

It's growing, but right now is concentrated mostly in one town (Ashland).

Work in progress

A community that is open, positive, welcoming and free of judgement.

A feeling of community. Not during covid

a more diverse community in so far as age, race, gender, and class

A place to gather, socialize, rejuvenate and have community.

A place to meet other lgbtq people in the area openly and safely. These needs are not being met.

A place where I feel accepted and safe. Free of judgement

A sense of belonging somewhere, where I can relate to people who understand my feelings and experiences. They are not being met.

A sense of community and belonging/acceptance. YES!

A sense of community and support. I dont feel like that is very much available here currently.

A sense of community. Visibility. Helping the wider community see and accept LGBTQ people. Networking with other LGBTQ parents. These aren’t really being met, no.

A sense of connection and friendship with people who understand my identity.

a sense of connection... sometimes these needs feel met

a way for more connection

Accepted and heard. For the most part. I have had judgement from cisgender lesbian women because I'm a cisgender pansexual woman. I've been told I'm 'not really gay'.

Affirmation and a place to be myself with others.

Affirming social groups, support, and resource sharing. Really, just to feel safe and like I am not alone. All of which I do not have.

An actual community, and no

Art, joy, sex-positive, fierceness about living authentically and fully yourself and empowerment to do that! Encouragement to not live in fear. Sense of belonging and support. No, I don't quite feel like that's happening for me now. The community feels very spread out and disconnected.

As I said, I need sober queer trans community that is accessible to disabled, fat, neurodivergent, and autistic people and these needs are not being met. I need physical, mental, and dental healthcare that doesn't discriminate. Same with housing, jobs, and education. I need mutual aid and community care. I need to be seen, held, and celebrated by my community. And there isn't even tolerance right now.

Camaraderie and fun. Advice and support.

community

Community, family activities or support, & support for educators.

Community. It's starting to be met.

Community. I'd like to feel like I can really be myself.

Community. No. We should have pride.

Connecting with others who are queer, understand or share similar interests

Connection and relationship with like-minded people. Assistance when needed.

Connection with other folks in my community, shared experiences and learning/mentorship

Connection, friendship, guidance, resources, protection, advocacy. So far, when I have connected, I felt these needs were met.

Connection. These needs are nowhere near met. I am so alone.

Connections

diversity

diversity/ people of color

Energy, affirmation, acceptance, friendship. I don’t tap in, so I haven’t gotten that yet.

everything I feel you have to go to a big city to do anything

Exposure & building community. Somewhat.

Feeling like a part of something

Feeling of belonging, fitting in, but this is difficult, having grown up as POC in a nearly completely white environ.

fellowship, being seen, developing communities of care. kind of, but other facets of my life are taking priority and even though i've found some real fellowship here other factors are drawing me back 'home' aka out of the valley.

Finding friends with similar life experiences around being queer. This is not being met for me currently

Frequently bi people feel unwelcome in LGBTQIA spaces especially if we're partnered with an "opposite" gender person. So I would be looking for a place that's bi inclusive where I don't feel like I have to prove how gay I am. And no, that's not currently being met.

Friends Folks to treat as family

friends / dating / community

Friends and community

Friends, playdates for my daughter, help with my transition. Some needs are met but not all

friendship, a sense of community, resource sharing, like minded individuals

Genuine support for where one is in life, and not trying to force me into a category or box with labels.

Getting to know more people in the community and be more involved. i feel like we could all use some support and positivity right now.

Having connection, being able to completely be myself; no

I am looking for a community that values the strength of its interpersonal relationships above all other measures of success. I am looking for a community that can help guide me in the coming away from a culture of white supremacy. While some of my needs are currently being met, I find myself lacking a truly adequate feeling of community.

I am looking for any sense of community, or something to feel involved with. I moved here right before the pandemic hit, and I've been completely isolated in my apartment for months now and have no friends or family in the area. My workplace does not seem LGBT-friendly either, so I don't feel safe being myself anywhere.

I am looking for connection and community support. I haven't found much. Maybe I am just looking in the wrong places?

I don't feel much a part of the LGBTQ+ community at large and I would really like to have more info about the events. It would also be nice to have a meet up of folks in their 30's and 40's...for friendship and dating.

I have not felt welcome in LGBTQ+ as a cis man who doesn’t share his sexuality frequently There are barriers to me participating more in the community

I have people who accept me for who I am and make me feel valid.

I just want a little bit of lovin. My family supports me but it doesn't help with a partner.

I just want people to accept me the way I really am without telling me that my values and experiences are somehow invalid.

I look for legitimate community and safety although I would not say these needs are being super met.

I need people to tell me I am welcome...belonging, openess

I want a space that feels safe to be out and encourages us to get to know other members of our community. It's so isolating here.

I want an actual gay community. I’m from Portland and up there we support each other, we have programs and clubs, we have communities. In southern Oregon it’s almost like we are hidden. We don’t even seem to accept each other in the community

I want more of an intersectional queer/trans community committed to justice politics.

I want to connect with other lgbt+ people in my community, and I want to find ways to make our lives better.

I want to feel welcomed and valid, outside the opinions of family. That is not being met right now.

I wish it were more welcoming. I don't know what exactly would accomplish this. It's be really helpful to be able to network to find resources.

I would just like to be able to hang out with people who understand what it's like to be me. Unfortunately, being bisexual is bad for some reason in and out of the community.

I would like to be of service in the community. Being newer to the area, it is hard to find groups/projects/events

I would like to have a community of like-minded people where we can talk about our identities but also just be friends with something in common. I’d like advice as well.

I would like to make friends but considering I'm not super social it's very hard. I don't really end up making a lot of friends.

I’d like to make more friends, and no, it’s not being met

i’m looking for a sense of belonging and acceptance. i’m looking to be invited and to be able to share my gifts with others. i’m looking for folx to learn from and with, to create and celebrate with. perhaps these needs would be met if i had the things i mentioned before that could help me find that community (time/space/opportunity/balls). i also am looking for diversity. intergenerational connection would be rad (i work with youth and would love to see more mentorship sort of stuff happening.) also, i am frankly super tired of being the only/one of the only POC in every space. i need fellow BBIPOC community too, ideally that is also LGBTQ accepting AND intersecting.

I’m looking for community, hopefully not entirely in party atmospheres! I haven’t really been able to find it yet though.

I'd like more of a presence in my community. I feel very different. I'm not Christian but the rainbow flag on that church makes me feel seen and valued.

I'd love to meet with other LGBTQ people just to make friends.

I'm looking for spaces where people are excited about being there and invested in the continuation of that space/community. I need a community created to nurture deep connection and joy, that holds space for and processes grief, mistakes, and conflict in a way that is oriented towards healing, growth, and justice (not punishment), where I always feel like I can bring my full self the table, where playing with and exploring gender is the norm, celebrated and honored, a community rooted in anti-racism, sex-positivity, transformative justice, disability justice, mutual aid/community care, decolonizing spaces/practices/resources, and actively working to deconstruct white supremacy culture. I don't want it to be that the only time I can be around more than 2 queer people is at a drag show. These needs for me are wildly unmet.

I'm looking for validation, camaraderie, good dance parties, a space where queerness is central & normativity is not assumed, loving connection and resilient community. I feel like I'm in the process of building & connecting to these resources.

I'm not sure if I belong. I want to, but I'm not sure if I'm even welcome by the majority of the community. Does someone who appears cis/het belong? I wish I had enough courage to be outspoken, but I'm not. Does my experience still count? People assume I don't have a gender/sexuality journey, so I think my voice is very quieted for fear of being seen as an outsider with an unwelcome opinion. Not sure what to do.

Inclusivity. Def not met- in meting places, only w friends

Inclusivity. Let lgbtq people know that they are welcomed in those areas .

Just a feeling of being part of a community and yes!

LGBTQ social connection/community. There is no gathering place or organization that brings the LGBTQ+ community together. It's difficult to meet other LGBTQ+ people. It would be great to have a list of LGBTQ+ supportive medical providers/practitioners, events, therapists.

Looking for a way to have community with my Queer peers. Needs are not currently being met.

More friendly people. There's hardly anybody that wants to hang out so so no means are met

More of a excepting community but even their community is sometimes not excepting of bi people.

More understanding friends

Mostly just that mutual understanding of each other and not feeling like I’m judged for my identity/who I love. I do have those needs met!

no, i don’t even know if there is a community in medford.

Over 50 yo butch community touching base would be nice.

Sense of belonging

sense of belonging and diversity. Not particularly.

Sense of belonging, yes

Sense of community, and not yet

Sense of community. No.

Someone to fix the lack of safety felt by my BIPOC LGBTQ+ friends. Many of them are afraid to be out in public due to the lack of resources/safe spaces for them. I myself need a sense of belonging, a sense of safety, and a sense of acceptance. I am currently hiding my own sexuality due to biphobia within the community here in southern Oregon. It is very detrimental to my health to have to hide that from my own community.

Support groups, events, representation.

Togetherness and respect. Thats all anyone wants.

Tolerance and acceptance. Community

Trans affirming community, trans EDUCATED community

Women’s community- no

An LGBTQ+ Car Cruise. It is not available.

Community gatherings

Community, family activities or support, & support for educators.

Dances, gatherings, presence in parades. No they are not being met. Covid-19 has been a deterrent. Also since the Abdullah-Ellis’s Center closes the community has fractured.

Dances, speakers, Pride, etc

Diverse activity options like hiking, cycling, board games, crafts, art, dance, cultural events. Most of this doesn't exist.

events/safe spaces to congregate or meet other like-minded individuals

everything I feel you have to go to a big city to do anything

For me it would be better social contact.

Fraternity, support, no way

Friends, community, and fun things to do. They are somewhat met, but I'd love to know more gay parents.

Friends, playdates for my daughter, help with my transition. Some needs are met but not all

Friendship and solidarity. Yeah, i just wish the events were more often

Friendship, family, a sense of belonging, growth, community, activism, art. No they are not.

From some parts of the community I am looking for the healing experience of being among people with whom I share a common experiences, identities, and ideologies, but I am also looking for experiences to learn and expand so I might better understand myself and others. I feel these needs are somewhat being met. I would like more opportunities.

groups or learning opportunites

Hard to say since we are all in stay at home but I would like more broad ranging meetings and events that are inclusive of all LGBTQ community.

Honestly, people to date. The usual ways of finding new folks don’t work as well in rural areas, and that aren’t that many queers here.

I am looking to meet others in thee LGBTQ community

I am looking to meet people, perhaps to find a partner, and to share resources, knowledge, and stories. These needs are being met perhaps about 50%.

I am married, so occasionally getting together with a larger community. Dancing, Art, theater, potlucks, adventures, political action.

I don’t connect a lot with lgbtqia+ community socially anymore. Someplace to dance would be nice.

I don't feel much a part of the LGBTQ+ community at large and I would really like to have more info about the events. It would also be nice to have a meet up of folks in their 30's and 40's...for friendship and dating.

I like to go somewhere and know I can be myself, even if I’m doing it “quietly”. The pandemic has detached me from that as well as the QRC configuration that changed in 2019 at SOU.

I look for support and I think my friends and family provide that. However I wish there was more activism I could contribute in

I need a way to easily and frequently make meaningful connections with other LGBTQ people. Once a year pride isn’t enough. There should be some sort of LGBTQ event once a month at least. My needs aren’t being met and things are quite lonely. I lived in eugene for college and there were so many college-hosted queer events (poetry slams, clothing swaps, a dedicated LGBTQ3 club, residential communities for queer students, a queer studies department, a queer-friendly sex shop downtown, and a gay bar. Medford has just....nothing compared to that. It’s very lonely.

I want an actual gay community. I’m from Portland and up there we support each other, we have programs and clubs, we have communities. In southern Oregon it’s almost like we are hidden. We don’t even seem to accept each other in the community

I want more spaces and community activities for queer people. I don’t see enough of that happening in Ashland.

I want more ways to connect as a queer person not looking to date

I want my kids to see other out people in our community. My church provides this.

I want to have an inclusive space where LGBTQ+ people who are underage can hangout and chat. The clubs at school aren't the best and there are sometimes straight kids who go just to make fun of us.

I want to have other queer educated people to talk to socially and for advocacy

I want to see more non-alcohol related events

I want to see my LGBTQ community be more visible at ALL community Events. Don't be afraid, be respectful, and make yourself available -- this is what I want all LGBTQ organizations and I want the community to come together by being more visible and engaged.

I wish there were gay bars in Jackson county, or a safe venue where LGBTQ+ people could congregate that held inclusive events (drag shows, gay proms, dancing, karaoke, bingo).

I wish there were more queer friendly dances. But also with the virus we can't see eachother anyway

I would like social events for the community, dance parties, queer bars and coffee shops, inclusive yoga, queer book clubs, an actual pride celebration...

I would like to be of service in the community. Being newer to the area, it is hard to find groups/projects/events

I would like to make friends but considering I'm not super social it's very hard. I don't really end up making a lot of friends.

I would like to meet more people like me (people of color) in social spaces/gatherings such as dances or other events. They are not met, specially not with COVID

I would love more social opportunities, especially ones directed to introverts.

I would love to see a Pride Parade in Medford and not simply in more liberal and accepting places like Ashland. Medford needs to recognize that there is a fairly large queer community here!

I would really like a place that is a community space. We need somewhere to gather that is safe. We need dances, or bars, or art nights, or other events where queer people can feel safe together and also meet others in their community. Some of the groups out there are geared towards only older generations or mostly younger generations, so having something intergenerational would be great as well.

I’d just like to meet more gays. Those needs aren’t being met because either these things aren’t happening or I just can’t find them

I’m looking for more sober events for adults, more dedicated spaces open on a daily basis for queer people to spend time, and more queer nights at bars. The bar thing is vague, but I just want more queer nightlife in general. I’d love to attend more drag performances when it’s safe to!

I'd like to be more social, and having a chill way to meet and just hang with other queer people would be cool. I would like to make friends and feel connected to the community. That I don't feel is being met, but I wasn't able to look into those resources before the pandemic. Doctors and therapists also big, that I do feel pretty good on. I guess also housing/roommates? When I was looking for a place to live I was super nervous about living with roommates who weren't also queer, because you can never be sure if they are going to be safe until it's too late. Work as also been a bit go a concern re: is it safe to come out. Luckily, my current job is at least outwardly pretty chill with me.

I'd like to connect with more queer people in their late 20s and thirties

I'd like to see LGBTQ+ older adult focussed program and/or organization.

I'd love to see hikes and educational events. I don't feel like I've found the community I'm looking for yet.

I'm looking for validation, camaraderie, good dance parties, a space where queerness is central & normativity is not assumed, loving connection and resilient community. I feel like I'm in the process of building & connecting to these resources.

I'm not sure. Dating prospect would be nice...usually when I look online, it feels like the guys I talk to are only interested in a quick hook-up.

In the past: Dating, singles activities

Informal gatherings, gatherings with a purpose, networking in person, queer agriculture projects/knowledge, queer/ally businesses

It would be nice to have a social life with other queers. Events, etc. outdoorsy things would be awesome. Just a way to actually meet people, especially 21+.

It’s hard in this time of COVID, but I really miss queer events. I want to be surrounded by all the queers! This need is definitely not being met right now!

It's weird to answer this question in a pandemic. I'm not looking to participate in physical community events or gatherings for the next year, because of the pandemic. I've lived here since fall 2012 and , as mentioned, am jaded @ the ripe young age of 30. I have given up on southern oregon and plan to leave. I think it's too racist and "state of jefferson"-y here for me to keep wanting to build stuff. Also, as a person who tried for years or organize queer and trans led community organizing in Jo Co, the physical distances between our centers of where people live is a HUGE factor. I lived in Wolf Creek. 1.5 hours from from Ashland and CJ. 45 mins from GP. I'm just ranting now. Answering your question: what I'm looking for, is not for me personally, what I want to see is resources for youth that center trans youth and trans youth of color. Maybe those exist, and I don't know, because I'm "old" now, but I want trans and queer teens to have safe spaces, and to live, and to not feel like they have to run away from here in order to live.

Just more variety and prevalence of queer events in general would be lovely to see. There isn’t much going on and what there is seems a bit limiting for many.

Just socializing. As an elderly cis woman I pass for straight and pretty much get ignored.

lesbian-specific groups/meet-ups, if they exist

Looking for more pride events and queer spaces. More action from the community as a whole to stand against racism and violence against POC and the LGBTQ+ community. We need to know that our community and it’s leaders don’t tolerate it.

Meeting more LGBTQ+ people, may are probably like me, very straight passing

Meeting other queer people my age. This has been slow to evolve, but is improving.

Meeting people and making friends, especially other young non-student queers.

More avenues to connect — no.

More child friendly events

More community events, dances, potlucks, education, movie nights, hiking groups, mental health support groups

more events!!! more events that occur outside of bars!!!! community sharing! connecting w/ lgbtq folks of all ages

More gay events !

more places for us to connect were its just LGBTQ. Not just the once a year gay pride

More ways to meet queer people outside of college

Mostly therapists for me personally, events would be nice and teaching the history would be a great thing to happen to open peoples eyes. No I dont think they are being met.

My wife and I are new to the area so we are still discovering ways to connect with the LGBTQ+ community.

Not. I need more community interaction. More gatherings. More dancing. More socializing.

Octal activities with older women

Opportunities for socialization. Group meet ups, friends, etc. Not currently being met.

Potential dates. Again the will is there but the people aren't. Density and distance are both huge logistical challenges, but were they somehow overcome it would be a great improvement.

Queer and trans spaces to be: centers, community housing, community kitchens

Social and political groups that meet regularly.

Social aspect

Social connection, movement building.

Social connection/people with similar interests. Not currently being met.

Social gatherings that are mixed age groupings. When I moved here 20 years ago we had those regularly and they were so affirming. They are not happening now.

Social gatherings; companionship

Social groups & events, peer & family support groups.

Social safe space!!

Social, educational, and bonding experiences such as gay men's salon/discussion groups, gay-themed movie night, game night (geared toward getting to know one another better), dances. These are needs that are not currently being met.

Support groups, events, representation.

We need more get together and not just in ashland

Well publicized activities that bring our community together.

A community that can support each other with less judgment than we usually face. There are some gatekeepers in the community that prevent that from happening consistently.

A place where I can actually meet other LGBTQ+ ppl irl. Just to be able to talk to other LGBTQ+ about experiences, problems, etc. If there is a place like this, I don’t know about it.

A sense of belonging somewhere, where I can relate to people who understand my feelings and experiences. They are not being met.

A sense of community and support. I dont feel like that is very much available here currently.

A warm welcoming space where I can figure out my gender and meet other queer people

Accepted and heard. For the most part. I have had judgement from cisgender lesbian women because I'm a cisgender pansexual woman. I've been told I'm 'not really gay'.

Affirmation and a place to be myself with others.

Affirming social groups, support, and resource sharing. Really, just to feel safe and like I am not alone. All of which I do not have.

Art, joy, sex-positive, fierceness about living authentically and fully yourself and empowerment to do that! Encouragement to not live in fear. Sense of belonging and support. No, I don't quite feel like that's happening for me now. The community feels very spread out and disconnected.

Camaraderie and fun. Advice and support.

Career & general mentoring. Advice

Community, family activities or support, & support for educators.

Connection and relationship with like-minded people. Assistance when needed.

Connection with other folks in my community, shared experiences and learning/mentorship

Connection, friendship, guidance, resources, protection, advocacy. So far, when I have connected, I felt these needs were met.

Counseling

Energy, affirmation, acceptance, friendship. I don’t tap in, so I haven’t gotten that yet.

everything I feel you have to go to a big city to do anything

Family

Feeling of belonging, fitting in, but this is difficult, having grown up as POC in a nearly completely white environ.

Feeling of safety and camaraderie. No, because no social groups, places to gather can be found. At least not easily.

Finding friends with similar life experiences around being queer. This is not being met for me currently

Fraternity, support, no way

Friends Folks to treat as family

friends / dating / community

Friends and community

Friends who understand our lifestyle

Friends! People who get it! And no

Friends, Addiction support, a place to politically organize, safer space to be... no, they are not.

Friends, community, and fun things to do. They are somewhat met, but I'd love to know more gay parents.

Friends. No.

Friendship

Friendship and like-minded individuals.

Friendship and solidarity. Yeah, i just wish the events were more often

Friendship and support system. I currently have a great group of LGBTQ friends who offer this

Friendship with people who more understand what I go through. And that is not happening

friendship, a sense of community, resource sharing, like minded individuals

Friendship, coalition, shared information on who/where/what is LGBTQ+ friendly locally. Not entirely met

Friendship, connections, advice, understanding, inspiration, creativity, glamour, strength. Yes.

Friendship, family, a sense of belonging, growth, community, activism, art. No they are not.

Friendship, sometimes

Friendship.

Friendship. No

Friendship. No.

Friendship/support in coming out as a trans person.

Friendships

Friendships, support, leadership building

friendships. no not being met

From some parts of the community I am looking for the healing experience of being among people with whom I share a common experiences, identities, and ideologies, but I am also looking for experiences to learn and expand so I might better understand myself and others. I feel these needs are somewhat being met. I would like more opportunities.

Genuine support for where one is in life, and not trying to force me into a category or box with labels.

Getting to know more people in the community and be more involved. i feel like we could all use some support and positivity right now.

Good resources for things like mental and physical healthcare, emotional support, events. No, but I haven't dug too deeply.

I am looking for connection and community support. I haven't found much. Maybe I am just looking in the wrong places?

I am looking to meet people, perhaps to find a partner, and to share resources, knowledge, and stories. These needs are being met perhaps about 50%.

I don’t have resources for locations to send my students if they need support.

I don't know what I want or need, besides transitioning.

I just want a little bit of lovin. My family supports me but it doesn't help with a partner.

I look for support and I think my friends and family provide that. However I wish there was more activism I could contribute in

I need extra emotional support for my transitioning process

I need people to tell me I am welcome...belonging, openess

I need to know that I’m not alone. That I’m not the only transperson in the valley. No. This need is currently not being met.

I needed a place to talk to other trans people. I needed guidance. I did not know where to look to meet other people like me

I want to grow secure in my identity and show that it's not bad.

I want to have other queer educated people to talk to socially and for advocacy

I was recently contacted by a young adult who was just coming out at trans. It has been difficult to find out the info and support needed to help.

I wasn't to be able to connect work other queer people and participate in social events. These needs are not currently met

I wish I had more ideas on how to advocate but I’m currently at a loss.

i’m looking for a sense of belonging and acceptance. i’m looking to be invited and to be able to share my gifts with others. i’m looking for folx to learn from and with, to create and celebrate with. perhaps these needs would be met if i had the things i mentioned before that could help me find that community (time/space/opportunity/balls). i also am looking for diversity. intergenerational connection would be rad (i work with youth and would love to see more mentorship sort of stuff happening.) also, i am frankly super tired of being the only/one of the only POC in every space. i need fellow BBIPOC community too, ideally that is also LGBTQ accepting AND intersecting.

I’m needing to transition and I’m having trouble with finding a doctor.

I'm looking for people to offer their advice on religious trauma when coupled with gender and sexual identity. There is no space for this

Im looking for the comfort of like minded people. This is a very conservative area and I'm very liberal. No the needs are not being met

I'm looking for validation, camaraderie, good dance parties, a space where queerness is central & normativity is not assumed, loving connection and resilient community. I feel like I'm in the process of building & connecting to these resources.

I'm pretty privileged when it comes to my needs, but I would like to gain more confidence in my identity. It would be more affirming to see more queer people in this little conservative Southern Oregon. They aren't being met currently, but I feel like it's getting better. Also, I love my queer friends and I would love to have more.

It would be nice to meet some new friends that understand or share my experiences or have similar interests

Like minds, open people, general tolerance/acceptance of all - currently it's limited by Covid...

Looking for friends/Like minded people, but I haven’t reached out much

Meeting people and making friends, especially other young non-student queers.

More authentic friend connections. (Lots of friends move away from area because there's not enough support / opportunity / housing).

More understanding friends

Mostly just that mutual understanding of each other and not feeling like I’m judged for my identity/who I love. I do have those needs met!

no, lasting friendships; no

Other parents that are LGBTQ/have LGBTQ children.

People I can relate to or that understand my perspective without me giving long explanations. No.

people i can relate to. and no that is not being met.

Safety, a community center, visibility, acceptance by council at members at large. A declaration that the Rogue Valley is safe for LGBTQ people. No these needs have not been met yet.

Social groups & events, peer & family support groups.

Support for young people, people who arent out.

Support groups for all ages (including social groups), affirming spaces including businesses

Support groups, events, representation.

To be more visible. We can't hide in the shadows. We can't be afraid to get out there and be an active and vocal part of our community. We need a place to call "ours" so that we can hold meetings, release information, be a beacon of support and community. If we don't have a 'place', then we are no where.

Transitioning help. Sort of but I just came out so it's a slow process

Where does a middle aged woman who is redefining her sexuality for herself for the first time go for support?

Would love to connect with other queer parents!! Do they exist?? Where are they? I am here!

A physical place to go instead of often hidden services. For example: a physical space like a LGBT bar.

A place to feel safe about talking about gender/sexuality outside of therapy or sex stores. No, these needs are not being met.

A place to gather

A place to gather, socialize, rejuvenate and have community.

A place where I can actually meet other LGBTQ+ ppl irl. Just to be able to talk to other LGBTQ+ about experiences, problems, etc. If there is a place like this, I don’t know about it.

A safe place to dance.

A safe space for women who are lesbians. Yes!

A space for queer folk to be theme selves eat drink dance whatever I don’t think they are

A warm welcoming space where I can figure out my gender and meet other queer people

Better recognizable LGBTQ friendly / ran / owned businesses. And the opposite better recognition of businesses and such that are anti LGBTQ so we know who and where to avoid.

Connection. These needs are nowhere near met. I am so alone.

Dances, gatherings, presence in parades. No they are not being met. Covid-19 has been a deterrent. Also since the Abdullah-Ellis’s Center closes the community has fractured.

events/safe spaces to congregate or meet other like-minded individuals

everything I feel you have to go to a big city to do anything

Feeling of safety and camaraderie. No, because no social groups, places to gather can be found. At least not easily.

Friends, Addiction support, a place to politically organize, safer space to be... no, they are not.

Gathering places.

I don’t connect a lot with lgbtqia+ community socially anymore. Someplace to dance would be nice.

I don’t have resources for locations to send my students if they need support.

I like to go somewhere and know I can be myself, even if I’m doing it “quietly”. The pandemic has detached me from that as well as the QRC configuration that changed in 2019 at SOU.

I needed a place to talk to other trans people. I needed guidance. I did not know where to look to meet other people like me

I want a space that feels safe to be out and encourages us to get to know other members of our community. It's so isolating here.

I want more spaces and also outside of Ashland. They are not being satisfied. (original: quiero mas espacios y tambien afuera de ashland. No se estan satisfaciendo.)

I want more spaces and community activities for queer people. I don’t see enough of that happening in Ashland.

I want to have an inclusive space where LGBTQ+ people who are underage can hangout and chat. The clubs at school aren't the best and there are sometimes straight kids who go just to make fun of us.

I wish there were gay bars in Jackson county, or a safe venue where LGBTQ+ people could congregate that held inclusive events (drag shows, gay proms, dancing, karaoke, bingo).

I wish we still had a bar like Cooks.

I would like social events for the community, dance parties, queer bars and coffee shops, inclusive yoga, queer book clubs, an actual pride celebration...

I would really like a place that is a community space. We need somewhere to gather that is safe. We need dances, or bars, or art nights, or other events where queer people can feel safe together and also meet others in their community. Some of the groups out there are geared towards only older generations or mostly younger generations, so having something intergenerational would be great as well.

I'd like to be more social, and having a chill way to meet and just hang with other queer people would be cool. I would like to make friends and feel connected to the community. That I don't feel is being met, but I wasn't able to look into those resources before the pandemic. Doctors and therapists also big, that I do feel pretty good on. I guess also housing/roommates? When I was looking for a place to live I was super nervous about living with roommates who weren't also queer, because you can never be sure if they are going to be safe until it's too late. Work as also been a bit go a concern re: is it safe to come out. Luckily, my current job is at least outwardly pretty chill with me.

I'm looking for validation, camaraderie, good dance parties, a space where queerness is central & normativity is not assumed, loving connection and resilient community. I feel like I'm in the process of building & connecting to these resources.

In the current state of the world it's easy to feel disconnected. I don't think I can really answer this accurately rn since I don't see things "going back to normal" anytime soon. I'd love if there was a queer cafe or something here.

Inclusivity. Def not met- in meting places, only w friends

Inclusivity. Let lgbtq people know that they are welcomed in those areas .

It's weird to answer this question in a pandemic. I'm not looking to participate in physical community events or gatherings for the next year, because of the pandemic. I've lived here since fall 2012 and , as mentioned, am jaded @ the ripe young age of 30. I have given up on southern oregon and plan to leave. I think it's too racist and "state of jefferson"-y here for me to keep wanting to build stuff. Also, as a person who tried for years or organize queer and trans led community organizing in Jo Co, the physical distances between our centers of where people live is a HUGE factor. I lived in Wolf Creek. 1.5 hours from from Ashland and CJ. 45 mins from GP. I'm just ranting now. Answering your question: what I'm looking for, is not for me personally, what I want to see is resources for youth that center trans youth and trans youth of color. Maybe those exist, and I don't know, because I'm "old" now, but I want trans and queer teens to have safe spaces, and to live, and to not feel like they have to run away from here in order to live.

LGBTQ social connection/community. There is no gathering place or organization that brings the LGBTQ+ community together. It's difficult to meet other LGBTQ+ people. It would be great to have a list of LGBTQ+ supportive medical providers/practitioners, events, therapists.

LGBTQ+ business. Safe hangout space to meet more LGBTQ+ people. An LGBTQ+ neighborhood.

Looking for more pride events and queer spaces. More action from the community as a whole to stand against racism and violence against POC and the LGBTQ+ community. We need to know that our community and it’s leaders don’t tolerate it.

Meeting places, for socializing. Senior services.

more places for us to connect were its just LGBTQ. Not just the once a year gay pride

No we need a designated safe space and official community organization.

not having any where to meet

Queer and trans spaces to be: centers, community housing, community kitchens

safety

Safety, a community center, visibility, acceptance by council at members at large. A declaration that the Rogue Valley is safe for LGBTQ people. No these needs have not been met yet.

Social safe space!!

Someone to fix the lack of safety felt by my BIPOC LGBTQ+ friends. Many of them are afraid to be out in public due to the lack of resources/safe spaces for them. I myself need a sense of belonging, a sense of safety, and a sense of acceptance. I am currently hiding my own sexuality due to biphobia within the community here in southern Oregon. It is very detrimental to my health to have to hide that from my own community.

Support and encourage normalizing LGBTQ spaces

Support groups for all ages (including social groups), affirming spaces including businesses

To be more visible. We can't hide in the shadows. We can't be afraid to get out there and be an active and vocal part of our community. We need a place to call "ours" so that we can hold meetings, release information, be a beacon of support and community. If we don't have a 'place', then we are no where.

A sense of community and support. I dont feel like that is very much available here currently.

Affirming social groups, support, and resource sharing. Really, just to feel safe and like I am not alone. All of which I do not have.

As I said, I need sober queer trans community that is accessible to disabled, fat, neurodivergent, and autistic people and these needs are not being met. I need physical, mental, and dental healthcare that doesn't discriminate. Same with housing, jobs, and education. I need mutual aid and community care. I need to be seen, held, and celebrated by my community. And there isn't even tolerance right now.

Career & general mentoring. Advice

Connection and relationship with like-minded people. Assistance when needed.

Connection, friendship, guidance, resources, protection, advocacy. So far, when I have connected, I felt these needs were met.

everything I feel you have to go to a big city to do anything

Friends, Addiction support, a place to politically organize, safer space to be... no, they are not.

Friends, playdates for my daughter, help with my transition. Some needs are met but not all

friendship, a sense of community, resource sharing, like minded individuals

Friendship, coalition, shared information on who/where/what is LGBTQ+ friendly locally. Not entirely met

Friendship/support in coming out as a trans person.

Friendships, support, leadership building

Gay affirming, life affirming. Safe housing for elder lgbtq folks. Affirming health and home care. Some are met.

Good resources for things like mental and physical healthcare, emotional support, events. No, but I haven't dug too deeply.

Healthcare, parent support, and no

I don’t have resources for locations to send my students if they need support.

I don't know what I want or need, besides transitioning.

I live in wolf creek about half the year. I get my medical needs met elsewhere. I don’t trust joco to meet those needs. Certainly I get a lot of socializing in bc of the sanctuary

I wasn't to be able to connect work other queer people and participate in social events. These needs are not currently met

I wish it were more welcoming. I don't know what exactly would accomplish this. It's be really helpful to be able to network to find resources.

I would like to see businesses and resources, particularly healthcare, outwardly express their support/welcome to the LGBTQ community (eg: visuals in waiting rooms or windows, including LGBTQ folks in advertising, outreach, etc)

I’m needing to transition and I’m having trouble with finding a doctor.

I'd like to be more social, and having a chill way to meet and just hang with other queer people would be cool. I would like to make friends and feel connected to the community. That I don't feel is being met, but I wasn't able to look into those resources before the pandemic. Doctors and therapists also big, that I do feel pretty good on. I guess also housing/roommates? When I was looking for a place to live I was super nervous about living with roommates who weren't also queer, because you can never be sure if they are going to be safe until it's too late. Work as also been a bit go a concern re: is it safe to come out. Luckily, my current job is at least outwardly pretty chill with me.

I'd really like to see us doing more skillshare/work-trade stuff done as a rotating crew that goes around to different farms and land projects and pitches in a day of work. Lots of farming/homesteading/rewilding knowledge locally but I mostly only see it happening in a workshop setting, usually pretty far from where I live... instead of like... here at the farm where I actually need the most help.

Informal gatherings, gatherings with a purpose, networking in person, queer agriculture projects/knowledge, queer/ally businesses

Is there a main LGBTQ source of information for the area?

List of LGBTQIA friendly places, doctors, STI and HIV testing services. Make it easier for us to find the help we need without having to search 10 times harder than our Cis Straight counterparts

Meeting places, for socializing. Senior services.

More authentic friend connections. (Lots of friends move away from area because there's not enough support / opportunity / housing).

More resources for lgbtq seeking celibacy or mixed orientation marriages because Jesus is worthy.

More support for sex workers, more support for queers of color especially in rural areas

more therapist

Mostly therapists for me personally, events would be nice and teaching the history would be a great thing to happen to open peoples eyes. No I dont think they are being met.

Non-bar resources, resources for a variety of ages.

Non-binary friendly AND fat friendly healthcare providers. This need is being met with my GP, but none of the specialists I need meet this need.

Other parents that are LGBTQ/have LGBTQ children.

therapist, no

They are not being met. Most of the resources seem to be through the colleges and aimed at that demographic.

To be more visible. We can't hide in the shadows. We can't be afraid to get out there and be an active and vocal part of our community. We need a place to call "ours" so that we can hold meetings, release information, be a beacon of support and community. If we don't have a 'place', then we are no where.

Trans health care!!!! It’s so hard to access good smart trans healthcare.

Transitioning help. Sort of but I just came out so it's a slow process

?

??

All needs are met

Currently nothing, so yes. :)

I am looking to live my life like anyone else. Yes, my needs are met.

I am not necessarily interested in joining any groups, so I guess my needs are met?

I don’t need anything really. I’m fine with finding others online.

I dont feel a need to find exclusively LGBT resources

I don't need a lot, I think my needs are met.

I dont need anything from my already squandered community.

I don't really need anything I just go to the pride parade.

I don't understand this auesriokn, i didn't choose to "participate" in this community, I was born this way.

I have a wonderful network of friends :)

I myself don't really need anything. I feel very secure in my sexuality and am unafraid to talk about it. Asexuality is not really looked down upon like other sexualities are so it's a different kind of position.

I really don't have many needs that are not met by my wife and our friends.

I would need to know about it first. I would like to be more embedded into the queer community in southern oregon, but am not sure how to do that

Idk and no

I'm good. I like being an ally and standing up for what I believe. Yes, my needs are being met.

I'm not really looking for anything, although I don't know exactly what I'd be looking for.

N/a

N/a

N/A

no :

None

None.

Not being met at all. See above.

Not really looking to participate more in LGBTQ community

Not really sure.

not sure

Nothing

Their being met

To know that exists, is large, and accessible in my areas of school/work. This is being met

Yes

Yes

yes

a truely radical politics that is based in class struggle and not blinded by identity politics. No this need is not being met

Hahahaha I wanna not get spit on in public if I hold hands with a girl we can work on a “community” once it’s safe. Hard to conceive of one strong enough to meet needs

I am looking to continue my dedication to being an ally wherever I can.

I don't know. Maybe a cure would be nice. Clockwork Orange the pain away.

I wish the pioneering work done by older lesbians were more appreciated.

I'm not looking to get something from being a member of this community, but to contribute in a positive and meaningful way

Literally anything.

More visibility

Personally, I'm not too indulged into the LGBTQ+ community of southern Oregon, I'm more focussing on how my life will be after school

-spaces for LGBTQ+ youth to connect outside of school

-a network of support for LGBTQ+ youth in school (GSA/QSA support, institutionalized protections actively practiced, trainings for staff/admin/school boards, etc)

-spaces for and by QTPOC

-events centered around BIPOC

-List of queer and trans-affirming and **knowledgable** mental health care providers (including kink/BDSM and poly-affirming providers)

-sober LGBTQ+ events

-more events and social/support groups created by and for QT folks

 -QT-affirming or -specific emergency response resources (housing, funds, mental health services), both locally and those that are accessible state or nation-wide -a comprehensive, accessible guide for local trans health care resources

-parent/family education on sexuality and gender (in English and Spanish)

-support groups for families with QT youth or family members (Gender Spectrum has rad examples of this), in English and Spanish

 -Local trainings for workplaces on how to support both LGBTQ+ employees and clients that includes concrete steps for accountability

Besides a nonbinary-affirming & knowledgable therapist, I mostly answered what I need to thrive in question 29.

(In a time outside of coronavirus) Events that celebrate queerness. Pride celebrations, social gatherings at bars/restaurants/coffee shops, movie screenings, etc.

A center (like a senior citizen center with food service, a café or coffee - weekly, scheduled activities or events (Mahjohn once a week, karaoke once a week, drag shows occasionally, food prep or other free informational presentations, etc)

A center for lgbt people to meet and feel supported.

A center with meeting space dedicated to LGBTQ+.

A centrally located community center would be amazing.

A community center would be an amazing space to have established.

A community center. Trans Day of Remembrance/Resilience; Queer Theater or improv; elders

A community of Christian LGBTQ+ would be great. Small business resources and mentorship.

A gay bar, preferable filled with singles my age. Lol

a gay bar. A drop in center for youth. A lgbtq medical facility.

a gay bar/cafe/social center, or a regular event that queer people can go to/be at together or to meet up, just some queer space that all the straight "allies" of southern oregon or the freaking bros don't dominate. i swear there are more straight cis families at pride wearing rainbow and feeling great about themselves for being "inclusive" than actual queer people.

A large, centralized organization that supports queer people and arranges events and activities. We used to have something similar in Lotus Rising Project but that has closed. I also need a dedicated “queer space” like a DIY venue for music/poetry/dances, etc. and a social group that does regular outings and activities (queer swim party, queer roller skating event, queer film festival, queer theatre, queer art spaces, etc.). A lot of places in Ashland are queer-friendly but few feel explicitly by-and-for queer folks. (Like a queer bookstore, cafe, bar, etc). I also want to see more of a queer presence in Medford and other conservative areas outside of Ashland.

A permanent LGBTQ space. Some nonprofit or community hub, advocacy group...I don't even know if that's possible. Regular public-facing queer events that aim to protect and uplift queer community here. Queer-specific medical services; a free walk-in clinic. Queer family planning services. Queer couples counseling. Queer cultural events that are desirable to the nonqueer community too (like Queer Slow Dance in Toronto)--are welcoming to everyone but center queerness (like Queer Songbook Orchestra, also Canadian). Some of queer culture is less underground in urban centers because it's not as marginal, self-protective. I'd love for there to be public queer spaces that don't have to be so self-protective and provide a meaningful cultural resource. Queer spaces, queer events are fucking rad. Also more intergenerational connections with queer people...meeting more regularly with folks from CJ Pride would be cool.

A physical address offering resources and referrals would be peace of mind that other queer folk are getting their needs met, something for the younger people.

A place, or virtual space, for local LGBTQ to connect and support each other.

A QUEER BOOKSTORE! A bookstore full of queer fiction and nonfiction literature. Like with a coffee shop, and we’d do poetry slams, and queer history seminars, and it would be COMPLETELY BIPOC inclusive (and preferably run). Just a daily place for queer people to BE.

A queer center with an identifiable name that serves the whole spectrum including poc.

A queer space/cafe/bar!

A resource center that was accessible to all would be amazing...

A resource center-or info on where these resources are located. Is there a place where kids can get support? Safe location?

A rogue valley LGBTQ+ Car Cruise.

A safe space for youth to socialize, connect, be empowered and affirmed, and have access to social services they need.

A social place that everyone can get together, young people can talk to older people. Where we feel comfortable and safe. Theta e not even bars or restaurants, anything

A social space that is well known. Not fake support and lip service from institutions about equal treatment.

A way for adults to meet each other in the community. It's easier for people in school or who have lived here a long time

Affordable housing and healthcare and safe spaces

An LGBTQ+ bar

An LGBTQ+ bar, or other public space, where everyone can meet and feel comfortable.

An LGBTQ+ center

An LGBTQ+ center specifically for LGBTQ+ youth to go and hang out, get sexual health resources and education

Art and creative meetups/connections

At least a couple of in real life trans acquaintances.

Buildings to hold events/meetings/support groups/teen drop-in/

Can we get a bar?? A soft ball team? Show gay films during pride month at the cinema? Highlight gay characters/playwrights in theater? We need more culture!!

Community

Community and acceptance Feeling like I'm helping as well

Community building activities and spaces where we feel safe.

Community Center

Community engagement and events

Community events that have inclusiveness! To see my people embraced rather than shoved into closets would be nice.

Community group for social connection. I don’t need it, but I know people who could really benefit.

Community network

Community. Events. Support groups. General "hangout" times. More representation. It seems like I can never find these groups.

Cultural! Drag shows, dances, music events

Events that allow the opportunity to meet others

Events to meet new friends in the community, gender inclusive healthcare

events! art shows! dances! music! community events outside of SOU (or maybe there are events hosted by/for SOU/students of SOU that i just don’t know about...?)! collectives (activists, artists, creatives) ... also i need a therapist and just don’t know where to look

Friendly gatherings online or in person (social distanced/outdoors)

Friends

Gathering places/community advocacy for housing and jobs

gatherings, visibility, education/awareness

Gay bar or lgbtq cafe

Gay bars please!!

Gay cafes and more social meetings for justice/community outreach for hs/college students.

Gayborhoods

Grants Pass needs a place like Medford for the queer community to meet.

groups and spaces where people of color can feel welcomed and part of the community. I have often felt like one of the few people of color in queer events even though I know a lot of queer people of color in the area, yet they do not hear about these opportunities or don't feel comfortable attending

Groups, activities for all ages, teen things, ect.

Having queer groups/events/etc not centered around "nightlife" or dancing that are accessible to all would be really cool!! Esp for those of us w sensory issues!

Housing first centers, More resources for POC, more local organizations getting people together

I do NOT believe that we need separate resources -- We NEED ALL Businesses to be welcoming and supportive of EVERYONE. If there is a need for specific resources, I would say ADVOCACY for when we come up against discrimination. Reach out to PFLAG... find out what needs to happen to bring this great resource back to the communities - Chapters in Ashland, Medford & GP would be great

I feel like I kind of answered that above? Social groups and maybe a housing like connection? So queer people can connect with other queer people looking for housing? Databases of local health providers that are good?

I just want to feel normal and be with people who are comfortable being themselves

I need mental health services, community events, dance parties, dating opportunities (like it'd be fun to do a queer speed dating, even if I made a new friend rather than possible romantic relationship would be a win in my book.

I need more LGBTQ kids feeling safe. So a shelter like how Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson made STAR as a safe space for LGBTQ individuals

I wish there was more lgbt activities especially sober ones

I would like to see more resources at Rogue Community College. Currently, the only real advocate or support network is through student government, clubs (when they exist), and the counseling department.

I would love a group for bi people specifically

I would love a specific lgbtqia+ resource and help center

I would love to have a designated place that we could meet and be, that wasn't a specific event. A bar, a coffee shop, a community center, anything.

I would love to know of more active groups for getting outdoors/hiking/nature. And more parenting groups for parents of teens/college aged kids.

I would love to see a large organization (like Lotus Rising Project) bring everyone together. A designated Queer hang out space would also be appreciated.

I'd like to see some of the resource @ SOU made available to the larger community

I'd really like to see Asexuality better represented. I know quite a few Aces who had absolutely no idea it even existed, and finding out about it even later in their lives helped heal a wound they never understood.

I'm not sure. Open to any possibilities. Something where we can connect and enjoy time together without it being a wild party or having to hyper-focus on gender/sexuality (like a social group, as opposed to therapy group)

I'm not sure. The safety pins when Trump took office were a nice gesture but did anything come of it? Did allies insert themselves into situations to protect local queer people or bipoc?

I'm personally hoping to someday open a sort of youth hostel/communal farming project for local queer/BIPOC kids. And I'd really like to see a more nuanced history being taught in the local schools. No shade to most of my history teachers, they taught us lots of stuff most kids didn't learn.... but we could have learned a lot more, a lot sooner. And we also had a history teacher teaching the New Testament as historical fact, so....

I’d just like to know how to connect with others, also therapists and mental health resources would be helpful

It would be amazing if there was a cafe of some sort where LGBTQ+ people could go to, to chat and have a space where they were safe. There are gay bars but there's nowhere for youth LGBTQ+ kids to chill at.

It would be great to have a community space near Grants Pass for all of the Rural queers to gather!

It would be nice to have a community center either in Medford or Grants Pass or both

It would be nice to have a legitimate gay bar and resource center.

It would be really superb to have LGBTQ+ safe spaces geared towards YOUTH. This includes events like parties or nights where youth could go without the sexual undertone.

Itd be nice to see stores that are targeted towards the LGBTQ community. Or safe spaces for nerds and geeks to have fun without being targeted. While we do have some good stores for video gaming and tabletop gaming some of the guests who take part in activities in the stores are racist, homophobic, and transphobic.

lesbian-specific groups/meet-ups

LGBTQ Community Center!!

LGBTQ gatherings of any kind would be amazing but especially ones not centered around alcohol.

Lgbtq group meetup or resource center!

LGBTQ* community center. More information regarding welcoming healthcare services.

LGBTQ+ Community Center

LGBTQ+ friendly environments

LGBTQ+ mutual aid networks. LGBTQ+ community center focused on intersectional, justice-oriented work (e.g. LGBTQ+ intersections with disability justice, racial justice, Indigenous justice, immigrant justice, feminism, and so on).

LGBTQ+ sex ed, resource center

Lgbtqa+ shops, events, meet ups etc

LGBTQIA+ affirming spaces

Local meeting places,

Maybe a Facebook group would be a good meeting place

Maybe a social event at a restaurant/bar like an LGBTQ+ night once a month or so.

Maybe some way to connect anonymously at first? As a way to create some connections before jumping all in?

Meet ups, groups, activities, LGBTQ friendly restaurants, bars, clubs, doctors. And most importantly an LGBTQ community that actually cares about the community in which they live.

Meetups mostly. Meetups that aren’t in Ashland and aren’t only in the evening. Daytime things nearer grants pass would be nice. Picnics.

More community hubs

More community spaces. Connections between community's. More support from the greater community. Gatherings where people can show their support for LGBTQ community.

More dedicated social gathering places like bars and performance venues

More doctors and events to showcase work/art done by the local LGBTQ+ community

more events

More events and groups — book clubs, support groups, mentor ship, outdoor events

More events.

More groups, people to talk to

More lgbtq events

More of a social outing aspect without being afraid of being bullied.

More opportunities for connection. More space for queer people, relationships, and empowerment.

More publicized community events, drag shows, fundraisers for queer issues.

More social groups and more education for the general public about LGBT stuff, especially in schools and for parents

More social groups/events for young adults who do not attend a college (seems like most of what I have found is geared toward minors or seniors), maybe some activist work I can help with, a way of connecting with LGBT-friendly therapists, employers, etc.

More support groups, more gay night life, more social gatherings of queer folks

More youth-elder events. We did one last year during PRIDE and it brought in 50 + people. LGBTQ Health/Medical guide.

Need a community center for gay lesbian transgender for lunches for teenagers and young adults you need summer that are like over 40 2 / 55

Non-alcoholic, non-loud, sensory overload friendly, queer spaces that happen in cave junction and for free.

Not necessarily like scheduled meetings but a drop-in cafe or bar that I am welcome in. Probably anti-racist resources that I don’t have the expertise to recommend but would want.

Organized social events

Parenting, networking groups, sports leagues,

People at sex stores seem to be very open to chatting about gender/sexuality without judgment. Would like to find a place that doesn't rely on sales that can be more comfortable for chatting.

People of color gatherings/ diversity

Places for literature, art, crafting space, potlucks, a garden space would be rad, a place to have clothing swaps and share other resources (materials, food,, etc...)

Please read above. Clubs would be nice. Maybe a gay choir or hiking groups. Ways to meet others in the lgbtq community. We are so secluded.

Professional groups, Parenting Group, Dating

Programming, online social gatherings, and things to build community during covid; Job assistance; a community center!

projects, events, affirming healthcare professionals, social groups specific to, and promoting voices of LGBTQ+ folx

Psychologist, doctor, dentist, club/community group

Queer bars

Queer bars. Queer community centers. Activision.

Queer cafe? Game nights... (Once pandemic is less of a concern).

Queer center outside of school setting

queer dance club

Queer friendly spaces

Queer meetups for different age groups; support groups that are not tied to the university. Health care that is not tied to the university.

Queer social spaces

Queer spaces and events. More community pride events.

Queer spaces, more queer healthcare/mental health services, Trans resources & support

Regular events for folks 35-60 who can’t stay up past 9:30pm.

Regular gatherings of a sort - whether social, political, etc.

Regular queer meetups like socially distanced or maybe a queer circle (like womens circle except just for queer folks) ? I don't know how to facilitate these kinds of thing but if it's accessible for me to bring my toddler and it's during daytime i will be there.

Restaurants and shops that are openly supportive

safe place to meet

Safe places where the young LGBTQ’s can go and talk.

Safe social gathering places. (after Covid stuff, of course)

Safe spaces like a gay bar.

Same as above. A place for us in Josephine county.

Social activities

Social connections!!

Social events.

Social gathering places

Social gatherings like taking over a pizza joint once a month. Drag shows and dances. Honoring those who are doing community work. Ways to connect all age groups.

Social groups

Social groups and events

Social opportunities for young gay men

Some kind of social org, especially for young people. The disparity in relationships between straight and gay teens causes problems down the line as we figure out dating in college when our straight peers did so in high school.

Some lgbtq hang out places for youth! Most have drinking and sexual things

Support for young people. Open support.

Support groups, Community Center specifically for the LGBTQIA

Thriving LGBTQ and out communities

to be able to know where to meet other lbgtq members. we don't have our own public space

we just need more places ro hang out

We need a dedicated gay bar!

Youth resource center or group, Pride events that happen during pride month, a gay bar would be awesome, queer support groups

a gay bar. A drop in center for youth. A lgbtq medical facility.

A safe space for youth to socialize, connect, be empowered and affirmed, and have access to social services they need.

Actually competent medical providers and therapists. Organizations who work with houseless populations that do not practice discrimination, are not connected with churches that practice discrimination, and DO NOT support/provide conversion therapy. Organizations that can provide resources (help with getting binders/clothing, advocacy, know your rights training, sex education, etc) and other types of support for LGBTQ+ folks.

Addiction support, sex work support, food and housing support, prison abolition organizing, trans informed healthcare professionals, a space to meet/socialize with other rural trans* queers.

Affordable housing and healthcare and safe spaces

again more info in sex ed

An increase in explicit sex education in high school would be nice across the board--especially with an increased focus on LGBTQ sex.

An LGBTQ+ center specifically for LGBTQ+ youth to go and hang out, get sexual health resources and education

Better healthcare options, county health care sexual health, therapy for queer ppl,

Doctors and therapists that are trained in non binary, trans and gender fluid people and don’t lecture patients on how they are sick or living sinfully

doctors/therapists who are supportive

Easier direct access to lists of folks in the valley who provide affirming care (therapists, doctors, etc) and what their focuses are (gender, sexuality, trauma informed, etc). I'm not sure if our area really has many therapists who are part of the lgbtq spectrum.

Educated therapists and doctors. Added visibility in the community.

Events to meet new friends in the community, gender inclusive healthcare

Healthcare resources Therapists willing to see someone who is lgbtq+

Healthcare/mental care from doctors that are LGBTQ+/allies, a list of businesses that are LGBTQ+ friendly/owned, activism for our BIPOC LGBTQ+ friends so that they are safe.

Help finding lgbtq+ healthcare providers

I can't think of anything that wouldn't lead to probable violence, i feel like any gathering is just asking for trouble. Maybe more forwardly accepting doctors or something, or a cure.

I feel one of the biggest would be Doctors that understand the needs of LGBTQ+ people.

I feel safe seeking health care but I know that’s not true for everyone so maybe more info on local healthcare and how they treat members of the lgbtq community.

I'm concerned about the aging population of old dykes living out there in the woods. Most have no children or other supportive family to care for them as they age. Most don't have the financial resources to stay in a mainstream retirement home, even if they wanted to. I'd love to see / help develop an LGBTQ retirement land, where folks could come to live, still in nature and community, and be cared for by the younger folks in the LGBTQ community. That would help the younger folks financially, and the elders, physically and emotionally.

It would be nice to have another organization advocating for aging/elders, particularly in long term care settings. Estate lawyers and financial planners

LGBTQ* community center. More information regarding welcoming healthcare services.

LGBTQ+ sex ed, resource center

Lists of queer affirming counselors, doctors, mental health workers, psychologists, etc. Resources for gatherings statewide and facilitation of more local events.

Lists of trans friendly doctors, HRT support, trans counselors and therapists.

Medical support

More doctors and events to showcase work/art done by the local LGBTQ+ community

More doctors who will do HRT for trans folks. It is very tough to find. I moved from Nashville, TN and we had a Queer Resource Center downtown where all sorts of events were regularly held (from education, to meditation, yoga, potlucks, meetings, etc). I'd love to see something like that.

More gender responsive healthcare providers, especially those who provide hormone blockers (most kids I know have had to go to Portland for care). Something more than a once a year Pride parade. A central clearinghouse for events/resources would be great.

More inclusive sex Ed, better trained healthcare providers, school policy that condemns discrimination based on sex, race, religion, or sexuality rather than calling it a belief system and allowing for hate to spread.

More information on LGBTQ+ friendly healthcare providers

more knowledgeable access to LGBTQ healthcare. ex: i have no idea how one would get gender-reconstruction surgeries or how one would get testosterone, etc. - more information available for those resources, cost, and location would make a HELL of a difference in many queer lives.

More lgbtq+ friendly healthcare and shops. A planned parenthood would be very nice too

More medical support groups.

More social groups and help finding affordable healthcare that fits my needs

More trans and LGBTQ+ educated medical professionals. Especially therapists and psychiatrists but definitely more general practitioners.

More youth-elder events. We did one last year during PRIDE and it brought in 50 + people. LGBTQ Health/Medical guide.

oops I wrote this in response to question #28. Therapists is the major gap I've seen for years. Therapists who are accessible via OHP. Especially therapists you don't have to do the B.S. process at Options which is awful. I can pay cash for my online therapist , and I do, but my friends need FREE QUEER therapists. Also for a while, before almost everyone moved away, almost all my friends were trans and wow trans healthcare here is shit. They all saw Jill Henry in Medford but she is one of those "trans friendly" doctors who doesn't know or care about trans health, but she's not a bigot and will prescribe you hormones. That's an extremely low bar. There is only ONE endocrinologist in southern oregon who WILL EVEN SEE TRANS PEOPLE and her wait list is over a year long. (martha cavazos) It's so fucked. My trans friends have had horrible experiences at the ER too. But, for me? In order to thrive? I haven't mentioned dating. Part of that is just me, not knowing how to date [comment erased for privacy], but it would have been nice to do some casual dating while I lived here.

projects, events, affirming healthcare professionals, social groups specific to, and promoting voices of LGBTQ+ folx

Psychologist, doctor, dentist, club/community group

Queer meetups for different age groups; support groups that are not tied to the university. Health care that is not tied to the university.

Queer spaces, more queer healthcare/mental health services, Trans resources & support

Recovery homes for Post surgery of Transgender patients. Surgeons who specialize in Gender affirming surgeries.

See #29. More gender neutral bathrooms. Better and more available affirming health care services. A queer library and meeting space. Maybe a business or two focused on serving the LGBTQ+ community.

See 29. Also local help with legal name and gender changes. Funding for microgrants for trans people that can't afford legal fees. A program to keep documentation of transphobic medical and service providers to hold people accountable and also warn trans people to keep us safe. A similar list of safe and inclusive providers would be helpful. More accessible mental health support across the board. I'd love to see queer craft fairs including art and plant medicine, queer gardening groups, skill shares and workshops, book clubs, mentorship programs, all-gender scout programs for kids (instead of girl/boy scouts), more lgbtq books and movies in the libraries, networking and support group for disabled lgbtq folks, more lgbtq housing and homeless support, and there could be so much more...

Senior servicce, socializing, health services.

Support groups, social events, medical resources

Transgender post surgery recovery and care centers.

Woke Healthcare systems, commitment & solidarity from the local government/agencies,

A safe space for youth to socialize, connect, be empowered and affirmed, and have access to social services they need.

Actually competent medical providers and therapists. Organizations who work with houseless populations that do not practice discrimination, are not connected with churches that practice discrimination, and DO NOT support/provide conversion therapy. Organizations that can provide resources (help with getting binders/clothing, advocacy, know your rights training, sex education, etc) and other types of support for LGBTQ+ folks.

Addiction support, sex work support, food and housing support, prison abolition organizing, trans informed healthcare professionals, a space to meet/socialize with other rural trans* queers.

Better healthcare options, county health care sexual health, therapy for queer ppl,

doctors/therapists who are supportive

Easier direct access to lists of folks in the valley who provide affirming care (therapists, doctors, etc) and what their focuses are (gender, sexuality, trauma informed, etc). I'm not sure if our area really has many therapists who are part of the lgbtq spectrum.

Educated therapists and doctors. Added visibility in the community.

Healthcare resources Therapists willing to see someone who is lgbtq+

Healthcare/mental care from doctors that are LGBTQ+/allies, a list of businesses that are LGBTQ+ friendly/owned, activism for our BIPOC LGBTQ+ friends so that they are safe.

More medical support groups.

More trans and LGBTQ+ educated medical professionals. Especially therapists and psychiatrists but definitely more general practitioners.

Therapists is the major gap I've seen for years. Therapists who are accessible via OHP. Especially therapists you don't have to do the B.S. process at Options which is awful. I can pay cash for my online therapist , and I do, but my friends need FREE QUEER therapists. Also for a while, before almost everyone moved away, almost all my friends were trans and wow trans healthcare here is shit. They all saw Jill Henry in Medford but she is one of those "trans friendly" doctors who doesn't know or care about trans health, but she's not a bigot and will prescribe you hormones. That's an extremely low bar. There is only ONE endocrinologist in southern oregon who WILL EVEN SEE TRANS PEOPLE and her wait list is over a year long. (martha cavazos) It's so fucked. My trans friends have had horrible experiences at the ER too. But, for me? In order to thrive? I haven't mentioned dating. Part of that is just me, not knowing how to date [comment erased for privacy], but it would have been nice to do some casual dating while I lived here.

Psychologist, doctor, dentist, club/community group

Queer meetups for different age groups; support groups that are not tied to the university. Health care that is not tied to the university.

Support groups, social events, medical resources

- List of queer and trans-affirming and **knowledgeable** mental health care providers (including kink/BDSM and poly-affirming providers)

 -QT-affirming or -specific emergency response resources (housing, funds, mental health services), both locally and those that are accessible state or nation-wide

-a comprehensive, accessible guide for local trans health care resources

- a nonbinary-affirming & knowledgable therapist

A support group would be cool

advocate at options - it's really challenging to navigate the mental health resources that are available locally.... having a social worker or better yet allyship trainings for other community members who want to apply their solidarity or pride in ways that directly support the needs and lives of LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors!

Community. Events. Support groups. General "hangout" times. More representation. It seems like I can never find these groups.

events! art shows! dances! music! community events outside of SOU (or maybe there are events hosted by/for SOU/students of SOU that i just don’t know about...?)! collectives (activists, artists, creatives) ... also i need a therapist and just don’t know where to look

Homeless shelters and food and housing and employment assistance and sufficient mental health and access to psychological therapies

I need mental health services, community events, dance parties, dating opportunities (like it'd be fun to do a queer speed dating, even if I made a new friend rather than possible romantic relationship would be a win in my book.

I want to see support groups, especially for lgbt+ teens.

I'm a counselor-in-training and would genuinely like to be able to find resources for counseling LGBTQ+ individuals and be able to access information on counselors, doctors, and other service providers that are LGBTQ+ friendly and competent

I’d just like to know how to connect with others, also therapists and mental health resources would be helpful

LGBT identifying mentors to guide youth empathetic and without judgement

mental services

Mentoring for youth and teens

More events and groups — book clubs, support groups, mentor ship, outdoor events

More lgbtq counselors for kids

More mental health resources for queer people, more classes and training for students and for the public on the needs of the queer community. More therapy groups and more of a network that can be used to connect different queer organizations in the valley.

More mental health support from educated people within the community

More support groups, more gay night life, more social gatherings of queer folks

Support groups

Support groups, Community Center specifically for the LGBTQIA

Therapists

Trans parent support - especially for pregnancy (had to hide trans status to get adequate prenatal support)

Trans Therapist that deal with trans issues

Healthcare/mental care from doctors that are LGBTQ+/allies, a list of businesses that are LGBTQ+ friendly/owned, activism for our BIPOC LGBTQ+ friends so that they are safe.

LGBTQ+ sex ed, resource center

See 29. Also local help with legal name and gender changes. Funding for microgrants for trans people that can't afford legal fees. A program to keep documentation of transphobic medical and service providers to hold people accountable and also warn trans people to keep us safe. A similar list of safe and inclusive providers would be helpful. More accessible mental health support across the board. I'd love to see queer craft fairs including art and plant medicine, queer gardening groups, skill shares and workshops, book clubs, mentorship programs, all-gender scout programs for kids (instead of girl/boy scouts), more lgbtq books and movies in the libraries, networking and support group for disabled lgbtq folks, more lgbtq housing and homeless support, and there could be so much more...

A permanent LGBTQ space. Some nonprofit or community hub, advocacy group...I don't even know if that's possible. Regular public-facing queer events that aim to protect and uplift queer community here. Queer-specific medical services; a free walk-in clinic. Queer family planning services. Queer couples counseling. Queer cultural events that are desirable to the nonqueer community too (like Queer Slow Dance in Toronto)--are welcoming to everyone but center queerness (like Queer Songbook Orchestra, also Canadian). Some of queer culture is less underground in urban centers because it's not as marginal, self-protective. I'd love for there to be public queer spaces that don't have to be so self-protective and provide a meaningful cultural resource. Queer spaces, queer events are fucking rad. Also more intergenerational connections with queer people...meeting more regularly with folks from CJ Pride would be cool.

A central source of communication that we can all subscribe to would be nice. I know there are some small queer events, but it's like you have to be in that circle or area to even know about it.

A physical address offering resources and referrals would be peace of mind that other queer folk are getting their needs met, something for the younger people.

A resources center, for the people who need resources and cant find them.

Assistance for families with children, judgement free get togethers

groups and spaces where people of color can feel welcomed and part of the community. I have often felt like one of the few people of color in queer events even though I know a lot of queer people of color in the area, yet they do not hear about these opportunities or don't feel comfortable attending

Hm...yeah, more visibility of queer stories and intergenerational connection. I'd like to see more LGBTQ-specific gatherings, dance parties, support for LGBTQ people to start/run businesses to be self-sufficient. Personally I want to be a teacher so I want to access higher education; I would like to have some regular in-person connection, support around being queer in a small town; and collaborators in art or organizing projects.

I am pretty privileged, so I would love to see resources that would help queer POC in our area. Also, I would like to see more resources for trans people in our area.

I would love a specific lgbtqia+ resource and help center

I would love to see a large organization (like Lotus Rising Project) bring everyone together. A designated Queer hang out space would also be appreciated.

I'd love for our elected officials from City to County to have to take LGBTQIA inclusion/belonging training and then meet with local organizations to make sure the needs of our community are being met.

It would be nice to have a legitimate gay bar and resource center.

Itd be nice to see stores that are targeted towards the LGBTQ community. Or safe spaces for nerds and geeks to have fun without being targeted. While we do have some good stores for video gaming and tabletop gaming some of the guests who take part in activities in the stores are racist, homophobic, and transphobic.

Lgbtq group meetup or resource center!

LGBTQ parenting resources and group. More visibility and events OUTSIDE of Ashland.

lgbtq+ and straight alliance businesses, groups, events

Meet ups, groups, activities, LGBTQ friendly restaurants, bars, clubs, doctors. And most importantly an LGBTQ community that actually cares about the community in which they live.

More publicity about gender, both about social transition and medical transition. Support for queer people who are homeless or have housing insecurities. A network of communication for those who are not as social / can't access physical community spaces.

Networking opportunities maybe? Professionally or otherwise.

New resources to support LGBQT seeking celibacy or possible mixed orientation marriages. The church needs to walk with people who are lgbqt and show them love and lead them to life. It needs to be talked about in church and the lgbqt community. There needs to be a bridge.

People at sex stores seem to be very open to chatting about gender/sexuality without judgment. Would like to find a place that doesn't rely on sales that can be more comfortable for chatting.

Professional groups, Parenting Group, Dating

Resources for LGBTIA+ elementary, middle, and high school aged community members.

Resources for youth and trans community members

Resources that would facilitate connection between folks, so I could find other people like me.

Trans resources for youth and adults

We need a center where we can go. A comprehensive place for info, assistance and community. If there is such a place already, it needs to be publicized and easy to find in online searches.

We need resources for all ages. As much as I would like some for myself, I think the focus needs to be for those 25 and under.

Would be nice if there was a queer centered newsletter or community event page. I don’t use Facebook anymore but SissyQs was really great for this. It’s probably still active!

Youth LGBTQ resources for 18 and under

Youth resource center or group, Pride events that happen during pride month, a gay bar would be awesome, queer support groups

LGBTQ parenting resources and group. More visibility and events OUTSIDE of Ashland.

An increase in explicit sex education in high school would be nice across the board--especially with an increased focus on LGBTQ sex.

An LGBTQ+ center specifically for LGBTQ+ youth to go and hang out, get sexual health resources and education

It would be nice to have another organization advocating for aging/elders, particularly in long term care settings. Estate lawyers and financial planners

More inclusive sex Ed, better trained healthcare providers, school policy that condemns discrimination based on sex, race, religion, or sexuality rather than calling it a belief system and allowing for hate to spread.

An education center for cis hetero people to educate themselves and do better

Education on how to be an ally. Information and resources for folks who are afraid to come out because of what could happen to their life re: custody, job, housing, you name it.

Financial education

gatherings, visibility, education/awareness

I could use some resources for my middle school students, a mentorship program & resources for educators sponsoring a GSA.

I would like to see better education and normalization of gender spectrums and diversity in the community. I see a lot of people here are not as necessarily hateful but simply unaware, and I feel like that's something we can really tackle in a positive way and create lasting change.

I would like to see more resources at Rogue Community College. Currently, the only real advocate or support network is through student government, clubs (when they exist), and the counseling department.

I would love to see a Stonewall Center type of resource for queer youth especially. And resources in middle and high school for queer youth. I think I and many others could have greatly benefitted from that while still in the K-12 education system.

I would love to see more public social spaces that are specifically for LGBTQ+ adults. After moving here, I quickly realized that was lacking.

I'm personally hoping to someday open a sort of youth hostel/communal farming project for local queer/BIPOC kids. And I'd really like to see a more nuanced history being taught in the local schools. No shade to most of my history teachers, they taught us lots of stuff most kids didn't learn.... but we could have learned a lot more, a lot sooner. And we also had a history teacher teaching the New Testament as historical fact, so....

More allies and gender pronoun indication

More educational information (for parents or older generations). I think people fear what they don’t know/understand, it makes them uncomfortable (applicable whether or not your apart of the lgbtq+ community )

More recognition that bisexuality is queer, too

More social groups and more education for the general public about LGBT stuff, especially in schools and for parents

More social groups/events for young adults who do not attend a college (seems like most of what I have found is geared toward minors or seniors), maybe some activist work I can help with, a way of connecting with LGBT-friendly therapists, employers, etc.

More visibility of others in our community.

More visibility. The more we hide, the harder it is for others to accept us.

Political action groups that are working towards authentic political change

Queer bars. Queer community centers. Activision.

We need to be louder, until LGBT is normal and there are no problems.

What comes to mind is more community education, but I believe SOU does have some resources in this area. Also, local bookstores should carry information, along with the library. There is a store in Ashland that includes products appropriate to LGBTQ+ needs.

Youth groups to help youth feel welcomed and accepted within their community. Information booths at the farmers market. Visible support in the city. (Cave junction)

It would be nice to have another organization advocating for aging/elders, particularly in long term care settings. Estate lawyers and financial planners

More publicity about gender, both about social transition and medical transition. Support for queer people who are homeless or have housing insecurities. A network of communication for those who are not as social / can't access physical community spaces.

A safe space for youth to socialize, connect, be empowered and affirmed, and have access to social services they need.

Addiction support, sex work support, food and housing support, prison abolition organizing, trans informed healthcare professionals, a space to meet/socialize with other rural trans* queers.

Homeless shelters and food and housing and employment assistance and sufficient mental health and access to psychological therapies

Affordable housing and healthcare and safe spaces

I'm concerned about the aging population of old dykes living out there in the woods. Most have no children or other supportive family to care for them as they age. Most don't have the financial resources to stay in a mainstream retirement home, even if they wanted to. I'd love to see / help develop an LGBTQ retirement land, where folks could come to live, still in nature and community, and be cared for by the younger folks in the LGBTQ community. That would help the younger folks financially, and the elders, physically and emotionally.

Recovery homes for Post surgery of Transgender patients. Surgeons who specialize in Gender affirming surgeries.

Transgender post surgery recovery and care centers.

A lot of LGBTQ+ people struggle like many in this area to find good housing and jobs. It’s especially hard to find if you are a lesbian.

Gathering places/community advocacy for housing and jobs

Housing first centers, More resources for POC, more local organizations getting people together

I feel like I kind of answered that above? Social groups and maybe a housing like connection? So queer people can connect with other queer people looking for housing? Databases of local health providers that are good?

I need more LGBTQ kids feeling safe. So a shelter like how Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson made STAR as a safe space for LGBTQ individuals

More LGBTQ safe housing

Permanent, non-transitional housing resources

Resources for homelessness regardless of income

shelter for lgbt youths if they are kicked out.

A community of Christian LGBTQ+ would be great. Small business resources and mentorship.

don't know

Elder community

I don't know. Less Trump supporters?

I really am not sure. I guess I am not terribly imaginative.

It would be nice if people listened more to newer research and yes, younger generations who aren’t stuck in the past.

Literally any.

More participation in city planning, local politics.

A safe space for youth to socialize, connect, be empowered and affirmed, and have access to social services they need.

Affordable housing and healthcare and safe spaces

Gathering places/community advocacy for housing and jobs

Housing first centers, More resources for POC, more local organizations getting people together

I feel like I kind of answered that above? Social groups and maybe a housing like connection? So queer people can connect with other queer people looking for housing? Databases of local health providers that are good?

I need more LGBTQ kids feeling safe. So a shelter like how Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson made STAR as a safe space for LGBTQ individuals

A community of Christian LGBTQ+ would be great. Small business resources and mentorship.

An LGBTQ+ center specifically for LGBTQ+ youth to go and hang out, get sexual health resources and education

gatherings, visibility, education/awareness

I would like to see more resources at Rogue Community College. Currently, the only real advocate or support network is through student government, clubs (when they exist), and the counseling department.

I'm personally hoping to someday open a sort of youth hostel/communal farming project for local queer/BIPOC kids. And I'd really like to see a more nuanced history being taught in the local schools. No shade to most of my history teachers, they taught us lots of stuff most kids didn't learn.... but we could have learned a lot more, a lot sooner. And we also had a history teacher teaching the New Testament as historical fact, so....

More social groups and more education for the general public about LGBT stuff, especially in schools and for parents

More social groups/events for young adults who do not attend a college (seems like most of what I have found is geared toward minors or seniors), maybe some activist work I can help with, a way of connecting with LGBT-friendly therapists, employers, etc.

Queer bars. Queer community centers. Activision.

LGBTQ+ sex ed, resource center

A permanent LGBTQ space. Some nonprofit or community hub, advocacy group...I don't even know if that's possible. Regular public-facing queer events that aim to protect and uplift queer community here. Queer-specific medical services; a free walk-in clinic. Queer family planning services. Queer couples counseling. Queer cultural events that are desirable to the nonqueer community too (like Queer Slow Dance in Toronto)--are welcoming to everyone but center queerness (like Queer Songbook Orchestra, also Canadian). Some of queer culture is less underground in urban centers because it's not as marginal, self-protective. I'd love for there to be public queer spaces that don't have to be so self-protective and provide a meaningful cultural resource. Queer spaces, queer events are fucking rad. Also more intergenerational connections with queer people...meeting more regularly with folks from CJ Pride would be cool.

A physical address offering resources and referrals would be peace of mind that other queer folk are getting their needs met, something for the younger people.

groups and spaces where people of color can feel welcomed and part of the community. I have often felt like one of the few people of color in queer events even though I know a lot of queer people of color in the area, yet they do not hear about these opportunities or don't feel comfortable attending

I would love a specific lgbtqia+ resource and help center

I would love to see a large organization (like Lotus Rising Project) bring everyone together. A designated Queer hang out space would also be appreciated.

It would be nice to have a legitimate gay bar and resource center.

Itd be nice to see stores that are targeted towards the LGBTQ community. Or safe spaces for nerds and geeks to have fun without being targeted. While we do have some good stores for video gaming and tabletop gaming some of the guests who take part in activities in the stores are racist, homophobic, and transphobic.

Lgbtq group meetup or resource center!

Meet ups, groups, activities, LGBTQ friendly restaurants, bars, clubs, doctors. And most importantly an LGBTQ community that actually cares about the community in which they live.

People at sex stores seem to be very open to chatting about gender/sexuality without judgment. Would like to find a place that doesn't rely on sales that can be more comfortable for chatting.

Professional groups, Parenting Group, Dating

Youth resource center or group, Pride events that happen during pride month, a gay bar would be awesome, queer support groups

Psychologist, doctor, dentist, club/community group

Queer meetups for different age groups; support groups that are not tied to the university. Health care that is not tied to the university.

-spaces for LGBTQ+ youth to connect outside of school -a network of support for LGBTQ+ youth in school (GSA/QSA support, institutionalized protections actively practiced, trainings for staff/admin/school boards, etc) -spaces for and by QTPOC -events centered around BIPOC -List of queer and trans-affirming and **knowledgable** mental health care providers (including kink/BDSM and poly-affirming providers) -sober LGBTQ+ events -more events and social/support groups created by and for QT folks -QT-affirming or -specific emergency response resources (housing, funds, mental health services), both locally and those that are accessible state or nation-wide -a comprehensive, accessible guide for local trans health care resources -parent/family education on sexuality and gender (in English and Spanish) -support groups for families with QT youth or family members (Gender Spectrum has rad examples of this), in English and Spanish -Local trainings for workplaces on how to support both LGBTQ+ employees and clients that includes concrete steps for accountability Besides a nonbinary-affirming & knowledgable therapist, I mostly answered what I need to thrive in question 29.

Community. Events. Support groups. General "hangout" times. More representation. It seems like I can never find these groups.

events! art shows! dances! music! community events outside of SOU (or maybe there are events hosted by/for SOU/students of SOU that i just don’t know about...?)! collectives (activists, artists, creatives) ... also i need a therapist and just don’t know where to look

I need mental health services, community events, dance parties, dating opportunities (like it'd be fun to do a queer speed dating, even if I made a new friend rather than possible romantic relationship would be a win in my book.

I’d just like to know how to connect with others, also therapists and mental health resources would be helpful

More events and groups — book clubs, support groups, mentor ship, outdoor events

More support groups, more gay night life, more social gatherings of queer folks

Support groups, Community Center specifically for the LGBTQIA

a gay bar. A drop in center for youth. A lgbtq medical facility.

Events to meet new friends in the community, gender inclusive healthcare

LGBTQ* community center. More information regarding welcoming healthcare services.

More doctors and events to showcase work/art done by the local LGBTQ+ community

More youth-elder events. We did one last year during PRIDE and it brought in 50 + people. LGBTQ Health/Medical guide.

projects, events, affirming healthcare professionals, social groups specific to, and promoting voices of LGBTQ+ folx

Queer spaces, more queer healthcare/mental health services, Trans resources & support

(In a time outside of coronavirus) Events that celebrate queerness. Pride celebrations, social gatherings at bars/restaurants/coffee shops, movie screenings, etc.

A center (like a senior citizen center with food service, a café or coffee - weekly, scheduled activities or events (Mahjohn once a week, karaoke once a week, drag shows occasionally, food prep or other free informational presentations, etc)

A center for lgbt people to meet and feel supported.

A center with meeting space dedicated to LGBTQ+.

A centrally located community center would be amazing.

A community center would be an amazing space to have established.

A community center. Trans Day of Remembrance/Resilience; Queer Theater or improv; elders

A gay bar, preferable filled with singles my age. Lol

a gay bar/cafe/social center, or a regular event that queer people can go to/be at together or to meet up, just some queer space that all the straight "allies" of southern oregon or the freaking bros don't dominate. i swear there are more straight cis families at pride wearing rainbow and feeling great about themselves for being "inclusive" than actual queer people.

A large, centralized organization that supports queer people and arranges events and activities. We used to have something similar in Lotus Rising Project but that has closed. I also need a dedicated “queer space” like a DIY venue for music/poetry/dances, etc. and a social group that does regular outings and activities (queer swim party, queer roller skating event, queer film festival, queer theatre, queer art spaces, etc.). A lot of places in Ashland are queer-friendly but few feel explicitly by-and-for queer folks. (Like a queer bookstore, cafe, bar, etc). I also want to see more of a queer presence in Medford and other conservative areas outside of Ashland.

A place, or virtual space, for local LGBTQ to connect and support each other.

A QUEER BOOKSTORE! A bookstore full of queer fiction and nonfiction literature. Like with a coffee shop, and we’d do poetry slams, and queer history seminars, and it would be COMPLETELY BIPOC inclusive (and preferably run). Just a daily place for queer people to BE.

A queer center with an identifiable name that serves the whole spectrum including poc.

A queer space/cafe/bar!

A resource center that was accessible to all would be amazing...

A resource center-or info on where these resources are located. Is there a place where kids can get support? Safe location?

A rogue valley LGBTQ+ Car Cruise.

A social place that everyone can get together, young people can talk to older people. Where we feel comfortable and safe. Theta e not even bars or restaurants, anything

A social space that is well known. Not fake support and lip service from institutions about equal treatment.

A way for adults to meet each other in the community. It's easier for people in school or who have lived here a long time

An LGBTQ+ bar

An LGBTQ+ bar, or other public space, where everyone can meet and feel comfortable.

An LGBTQ+ center

Art and creative meetups/connections

At least a couple of in real life trans acquaintances.