A safe place is simply just that, a place where someone feels safe. Some people have that feeling when they go most places, they could walk into any church, store or place of employment and feel that they are accepted for who they really are. One of the many reasons that this cannot be the reality for some is that they are part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Often members of the LGBTQ+ community report discrimination, or simply being looked at differently. However, there are many welcoming safe places in the Milwaukee area to keep these women feeling like they truly belong.
So, what does a safe place really look like? It can look like many things. Dictionary.com defines a safe place as “a place that provides a physically and emotionally safe environment for a person or group of people, especially a place where people can freely express themselves without fear of prejudice, negative judgment, etc." This can look like a place to have open conversations about what it is like to live your life being a queer woman or it can be a place where there’s no need for conversation, but you know that your physical or mental well-being is not at risk.
In a lot of places queer women are physically safe but it’s that emotional feeling of safeness that places are often failing to provide. Most women want to feel that they can disclose to the people around them that they are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Women want to feel accepted and not just physically but that the people around them are not looking at them differently because of who they are.
For some, like Mackenzie Meyers, a 23-year-old teacher from South Milwaukee, their local church is what they consider a safe place. “I know that walking in those doors every week with my girlfriend no one is going to judge us or think that God loves us any less because of the way that we choose to love." She explained that starting to attend The Ridge Community Church, located in Greenfield, WI, has been one of the best decisions that she has ever made. “Everyone is always so welcoming, and it is so nice to be able to introduce my girlfriend as my girlfriend.” Mackenzie also explained that they often say things along the lines of ‘everyone is welcome here’ before, after or during the services.
She also explained that finding a church that really is behind the LGBTQ+ community right now can be really challenging. She grew up attending a Catholic church and explained that she would not feel accepted there. “There is a difference between being accepted, and really feeling like you are accepted." That difference is what she thinks makes The Ridge really feel like a safe place.
“There is a difference between being accepted, and really feeling like you are accepted."
One stereotype that a lot of women have, both a part of the LGBTQ+ community and not, is that churches are not accepting of these women. This is not true for all churches and it is possible to find a church that is welcoming to all of God's people, it's just trying out different churches until they find one that is accepting.
Hannah, whose name has been changed, explained that her job has felt like a safe place. She works for Starbucks and explains that she has never had any problems with being part of the LGBTQ+ community and that working there has helped her embrace who she really is. “I get to go to work every day with people who know that I am a lesbian, have no problem with it, and love me for me."
Starbucks states on their website “We stand as an ally to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community – affirming every way people may choose to identify,” showing their upfront support for people who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Hannah explained that she has coworkers, mainly women, that she sees almost daily who are also a part of the LGBTQ+ community. “It’s always nice to know that you are supported but it’s even nicer to know that you are not alone,” she said, speaking about the fact that there are other women who are lesbian at her job as well. Hannah thinks that Starbucks showing their support for their employees is a step in the right direction for women and all people of the LGBTQ+ community.
“It’s always nice to know that you are supported but it’s even nicer to know that you are not alone”
Another stereotype is that many jobs will not openly be supportive of their LGBTQ+ employees. While some may not be, many are beginning to show their support to all their employees, not excluding anyone simply based on their sexuality.
While women of the LGBTQ+ community still believe that the world and Milwaukee have a lot of growing to do when it comes to the acceptance of their community, there are places in the Milwaukee area that serve as a wonderful safe space for them.
About the Author
Katelyn Bloomer
Katelyn is an undergraduate student and Mount Mary University studying psychology. She enjoys writing stories of hope and success, and she's particularly passionate about the mental health field.
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