Peoria is a real place.

Flew into Normal to visit a long lost friend in Peoria . Pushing east coast snobbery aside for a long weekend in the heartland. Where all the restaurants are "all you can eat". Mullets can still be found among the church going queers I met. Dykes not quite comfortable with my tattoos and brown skin, did their best to show me a good time. Would I do the same for them ? Probably not. But then a change happened. What struck me was the sense of unity they all had. They are really in it all together.. from supporting each others businesses, to planning Balls and Flings. This all happens in a very hostile environment, far from the relative safety of my queer east coast community. We may not be united but we do have clout and numbers. A small little gathering like the Ball was the greatest thing to my Midwest small town peeps, and I got caught up in it all ...the limo ride, the champagne, the prom like pictures , right down to the cheesy DJ playing very cheesy tunes... and everyone in their finest...Right then I made a decision to return sometime for another long weekend in the heartland ... and if my Midwest small town peeps want a east coast big city experience I will do my best to show them a good time. I now know Peoria is a real place.