June is Pride Month in the U.S. It’s a time to celebrate the impact the LGBTQIA+ community has made on culture, as well as reflect on the history (and ongoing experience) of what it means to be queer in this country. Though there’s no formal definition of "queer food," food—and spaces where food is shared—are often inextricably linked to community and personal explorations of identity. It’s only natural that for many, their queer identity and food are deeply connected.
A number of Food52 contributors have shared their thoughts on how food shaped their coming-out experiences, written tributes to their favorite queer spaces, and explored the history of dishes linked to the LGBTQIA+ community. Some of these pieces are joyful; others revisit the pain inherent in a marginalized community—all are worth a read. Of course, we’ve barely scratched the surface when it comes to highlighting intersectional queer food writing, and we’re looking forward to sharing more. In the meantime, join us in reading these stories, and let us know what queer food means to you.