HITCHED – Finding a partner in Logan’s LGBTQ+ community
It’s no question that dating can be hard, but it’s even harder for members of the small LGBTQ community in Logan, Utah.
Henry Fye, a gay freshman at Utah State University, described his overall dating experience in Logan so far as negative.
“I feel like the LGBT community in this area is really small, so there’s not really any options,” Fye said. “It’s nonexistent pretty much.”
When asked how many openly gay men he had met so far at USU, he answered that he could count them on one hand.
Another student, Nat Skousen, who identifies as pansexual questioning and nonbinary trans-femme, expressed similar experiences dating in Utah.
“Dating is hard here simply because it’s hard to meet people in the LGBTQIA+ community who are visible, single or willing to date,” Skousen said. “That, coupled with the challenges of dating in general, it’s difficult to be in a relationship.”
Skousen also expressed Utah’s conservative culture causes visibility to be difficult for members of the LGBTQ community.
“We live in a very conservative area, and while we have Pride and organizations dedicated to deconstructing stigma and discrimination,” Skousen said, “it still definitely occurs — and from anybody.”
Finding open and visible members of the community is a struggle for most students in the area, and while dating apps help with visibility, opinions on the apps are mixed.
Brinleigh Cahoon, a bisexual USU student, has found dating apps to be helpful.
“Dating sites have definitely helped. Tinder is alright, but for my gay side, I like the site Her,” Cahoon said.
Even with the dating apps, Cahoon still identified finding people to date in Utah as her biggest challenge.
“The sites definitely make it easier, but sometimes I see a girl, and I’m getting gay vibes. But I don’t want to seem predatory, so normally nothing happens,” Cahoon said.
On the other hand, Fye’s experience with dating apps has been unsuccessful.
“I’ve used Tinder. Not very good. You can only go so far talking on an app,” Fye said. “It just never really goes anywhere.”
Though much of the LGBTQ community in Logan struggles to find dates, many students have great success and are in steady relationships.
USU student Chantelle McCall met her girlfriend when they lived on the same floor in Valley View Tower during her freshman year. They have been together for two years now.
Being in a steady relationship is difficult no matter what, but McCall identified the conservative culture in Utah as a challenge unique to relationships for the LGBTQ community.
“It’s definitely conservative, especially Logan. Walking around holding my girlfriend’s hand in the grocery store, you definitely get a double take. Everyone has to go, ‘Oh, they’re holding hands. They’re together,’” McCall said. “Holding hands with her in public is almost uncomfortable, and I shouldn’t let it bother me, but also, it’s kind of hard to ignore people watching.”
For those in the community struggling with dating, McCall advises them to get involved and meet more people.
“There’s definitely people, and there’s definitely a good group here in Logan. There’s a pretty diverse range of individuals here,” McCall said. “Just keep looking, and keep trying. Get to know people, and get involved with things. You’ll find them. Don’t worry,”
Nat Skousen encourages those struggling to get numbers and ask everyone on dates.
“If you’re attracted to them, go for it,” Skousen said. “We shouldn’t be ashamed to be asking people on dates, no matter our identity or sexuality.”
—darcy.ritchie@aggiemail.usu.edu
@darcyrrose