I (F20) will be going to Columbus Pride soon. I’m from northeast ohio in a small town so it’s really hard for me to find other lesbians to meet or even date, let alone anyone in the lgbtq community to befriend. I’m bringing two friends of mine, but I’d really like to be able to meet new people and hopefully text them even after pride is over and hang out. I don’t know if that’s unrealistic, but I do want it. I am planning on getting a place to stay for the whole weekend, so this isn’t just during the parade/day of.

I’m referring to the weekend in general. I’ve been to a couple clubs in the area, like Slammers, so I wasn’t sure if there would be a way to meet people there as well? But overall I just want to meet people/potential love interests and was looking for advice from people who have been in the past on how to do so, or just success stories in general. Would dressing up help? I do have slight autism which makes it hard for me to just go up and talk to people but I do try, so is it just a matter of luck?

I’m a butch lesbian, so sometimes I feel like my odds of being seen as attractive can be low, especially since I’m plus sized. But I’m trying to be confident, I just need some advice.

Thanks, and I hope y’all have a great pride month.