‘I feel subhuman’
Caitlin Friege (Courtesy photo) How one lesbian couple’s ‘safe haven’ is falling short CAROLINE SAVOIE | Contributing Writercarosavoiswriting@gmail.com The Chester city limits, population 270 (Photo courtesy of Caitlyn Friege) When Caitlin Freige and her wife of 18 years moved from Los Angeles to Chester, Texas, last April, they thought they were trading the chaos of the city for a quiet safe haven in a town of 277 people.
But, Freige said, their lived experience hasn’t been as idyllic as they’d hoped, and she suspects that has something to do with her sexuality.
Freige said their criteria for finding a new home was simple: affordable, rural and community-oriented. As a licensed clinical social worker and long-time community organizer, Freige said she wants to be involved in the town happenings, but she’s had trouble gaining a foothold.
And, she said, what scares her most about living in Chester is lack of fair representation in local government, especially where it involves LGBTQ+ residents.
