"I Won't Live to See My Dream Come True..." What We Miss about Rural 2SLGBTQ+ Folx

• In Event: Beyond Victimization and Discrimination: Resilience, Help-Seeking, Well-being, and Joy among LGBTQ+ People

Abstract

This quote is from a participant known as The High Priestess, who went on to explain that while she thought her dream of equity for queer youth wouldn't come true in her lifetime, she wanted to stay to fight in South Dakota to make that possible one day for future generations. The High Priestess, like many folx who live in South Dakota and other rural states, represents the resilience and the sheer grit of queer people who live in these areas. It is important to recognize that while many choose to flee when they have the privilege to, there are many who choose to stay behind. Their stories are important and stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of 2SLGBTQ+ folx in the face of immense difficulty.

In an attempt to address and decrease the joy deficit in academia, this work will highlight the voices of 2SLGBTQ+ people in the state of South Dakota from a mixed methodology study of 120 quantitative responses and 19 qualitative interviews.

Author

• April Carrillo, University of South Dakota