Why We're Needed
The ‘Gay Loneliness’ Epidemic
LGBTQIA+ People Experience More Loneliness Than Their Heterosexual Peers
Did you know that the isolation experienced by LGBTQIA+ individuals and their subsequent drug use could be linked to larger discriminatory practices and societal stigma? It’s a big problem that affects the overall health of our community. And to make matters worse, in the past decade, there has been a decline in spaces where gay people can gather, leaving many to seek community online.
But here’s where Gays of National Parks (GONP) comes in. We were founded to create a sense of community and change the way people see LGBTQIA+ individuals. Our goal is to break free from the stereotypes perpetuated by the media and present a more authentic and diverse picture of who gay and queer people truly are.
Our platform provides a space for LGBTQIA+ individuals from all walks of life to share their own stories and experiences, much like the Humans of New York project. We use nature as a backdrop, highlighting the beauty of our surroundings while empowering our community to connect and influence each other through their personal narratives.
Gays of National Parks is here to combat loneliness, foster community, and give LGBTQIA+ individuals a platform to inspire and support one another by sharing their unique, personal stories.
coming out sentiments
“It’s like you emerge from the closet expecting to be this butterfly & the gay community slaps the idealism out of you. When I first started coming out, I went to West Hollywood because I thought that’s where my people were. But it was horrifying. It’s made by gay adults, & it’s not welcoming for gay kids. You go from your mom’s house to a gay club where a lot of people are on drugs & it’s like, this is my community? It’s like the f-ing jungle.” – Adam
“I came out at 17, an didn’t see a place for myself in the gay scene. I wanted to fall in love like I saw straight people do in movies. But I just felt like a piece of meat. It got so bad that I used to go to the grocery store that was 40 minutes away instead of the one that was 10 minutes away just because I was so afraid to walk down the gay street. – Paul