I’ve been having a hard time dating. I’ve been single for about a year and have really focused on myself, and now I feel ready to get back out there but I’m struggling.
Since coming out as a lesbian, I’ve mostly dated white women. There’s nothing wrong with that, but right now I want to be intentional about dating within my own community. At this point, I’m not really looking to date white women, I just want to expand my experiences and connections with Black women.
I’m originally from Massachusetts, but I moved out West for my second degree because I love the outdoors, camping, skiing, hiking, national parks, climbing, all of it. I wasn’t getting that kind of lifestyle on the East Coast. I also travel about once a month to different states to explore, hike, and camp.
The problem is that where I live now is about 84% white, and I go to a PWI. There are only a few Black women at my school, and they’re either my friends or not queer.
I’ve been trying to find an Outdoorsy/“granola” Black woman, and it’s been sooo hard. I’ve used dating apps, I travel often, and I’ve even changed my Hinge location but nothing is working.
I know one option would be to move, but I really don’t want to leave the West. I love it here. I’m also planning to go to law school next year, likely back in Massachusetts, but honestly I don’t even want to go back because I feel happier out here.
Does anyone have advice on where to meet queer Black women, especially outdoorsy types? Or how to approach this?
I’m 24, by the way.