Not all trails are straight: Residential aspirations and place attachment of rural queer young adults

Young adult out-migration poses challenges for rural communities as they strive to address workforce shortages, population decline, and broader social and economic issues. In addition, certain groups of young people in rural areas, such as queer young adults, face additional identity-based challenges that can influence their migration decisions and distinguish aspects of their decision-making from other young adults. Using a qualitative approach, interviews with 17 queer young adult college students from a rural area were conducted to better understand how this group experiences nature and forms residential aspirations. Results show that queer rural young adults desire to live in communities that value diversity, promote acceptance, and have accessible nature. Our work also showed that queer rural young adults value nature for more than just outdoor recreation; they also value it as a mental health resource. Our findings offer insights for rural communities on how to attract and retain queer residents, such as investing in and connecting queer young adults to a community's natural amenities and by displaying symbols of acceptance. • Queer young adults hold a diversity of future aspirations, including rural residence. • Time outdoors and in nature was influential in identity acceptance for some. • Supporting and attracting queer residents can aid rural community sustainability.