Lesbian in Lansing: Your Unauthorized Newbie Guide to Lansing, MI
Seeking vegan food and safe places to shop and eat left me wanting more, so I’m making the list I wish I had
I entered 2023 by upending my life to move from Colorado to Michigan. Life was stagnant and my work left me with the opportunity to move to a select list of states, so I did some research and introspection, packed up my pets along with all my shit, and moved somewhere I’d never been. It isn’t the first time I’ve done this, sometimes I simply feel like making a big change. This article isn’t about that.
When I arrived in Lansing I was craving community. It was early January and I was exhausted. I knew Spiral, the iconic LGBTQ+ club, had closed due to the pandemic. But there is drag! I’d researched some of the local businesses and organizations, the queer history here, and it seemed safe enough. However, when I arrived, I found that a vibrant queer community existed but felt (and, for me, still can feel) de-centralized and difficult to hitch into. The drag shows were harder to find than I thought they would be. We’re short on places to dance. There are a few spaces for us, flags marking inclusion all over the city, niche humor bumper stickers (I see you, frog lovers). Yet, I still feel short on recommendations and insight on where to find queer spots and (yeah, shocker) vegan food around the city.
I have been delighted to explore some of our local events and food in Lansing and nearby areas, quickly settling in with some regular favorite stops. This city is a little odd, unexpectedly subdued for a state capitol. Parking spots abound. Vegan food has been much easier to track down than queer events, which are undoubtedly only coded as such for safety. I won’t be referencing any events like that here. Instead, I’ll be making recommendations for good food I’ve tracked down and establishments where I feel safe or that are outwardly queer and, I believe, deserve our patronage.
This living document is home base for updates, you can expect new recommendations to be linked below when they are made available. All recommendations will be listed on my website in the blog section for free! If you want to share with a friend not on Medium you can hop on over there to access with no paywall.
If there is a Lansing (or East Lansing/Okemos area) establishment that you love and would like me to check out, please send me a message! I would love to connect with you. You may do so through Medium or via my website contact page.
