"One of the hardest parts was leaving behind my loving in-laws and the robust community of friends I'd met during my decade living in America. What's more, I grew up on the opposite side of England, which means Bristol is a new place for all of us. Since arriving in the South West last year, we've worked tirelessly to find a new circle of friendly faces and allies who embrace and understand us as a queer family."
"A few weeks after moving in, we sent notes - and cookies - to people in the neighborhood, inviting folks to share a Saturday morning cuppa on our front doorstep. The response was overwhelmingly positive. People were eager to meet and chat, and we found that sometimes all it takes is a little boldness (or shamelessness) to make the first move."
"Missing familiar faces and a network of fellow parents, we've worked hard to build community here. An LGBTQ+ family coffee morning, improv classes, and fitness groups helped us meet people fast. As former San Franciscans, my husband, toddler, and I quickly felt at home in Bristol. The progressive UK port city boasts an iconic suspension bridge, heaps of counterculture, and - not least because it's the birthplace of Banksy - a vibrant creative scene."
After moving from San Francisco to Bristol, a queer couple with a toddler faced the loss of in-laws and a strong American friend network while adapting to a new English city. Bristol's progressive culture, iconic suspension bridge, counterculture energy, and creative scene offered comforting parallels. The family prioritized neighborliness by delivering notes and cookies, hosting a Saturday cuppa, and quickly connected through a monthly LGBTQ+ family coffee morning, a citywide queer parents WhatsApp group, improv classes, and fitness groups. Building a support network required intentional effort and outreach, and welcoming responses showed that small gestures can create meaningful community.
Read at Business Insider
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