More Americans are changing how they celebrate holidays, opting out of traditional family gatherings for new, more fulfilling experiences. For Cassandra Sheridan, this Thanksgiving meant meeting her “chosen family” from an online group for the first time in Port Richey, Florida. This shift highlights a growing trend where people seek community with like-minded groups or find peace in solo adventures, redefining what it means to celebrate during the festive season.
A New Path to Belonging in Port Richey
For Cassandra Sheridan, 41, moving to Florida from near Memphis this past July was a major life change. Following a divorce and coming out as a queer woman, she found herself in a new city without a local support system. The transition was challenging, especially with the holidays approaching.
She found the connection she was looking for through an online community. This Thanksgiving marked her very first in-person meeting with the group that has become her chosen family. Their immediate acceptance provided the warmth and support she needed during a difficult period.
“Coming here, someplace new and not having a family… and doing something with a community-minded group who accept you and they’ve actively shown they want to be a part of your life has made all the difference,” Sheridan shared.
How Stand in Pride Creates New Families
Sheridan connected with her new support system through Stand in Pride, a nonprofit organization founded in 2021. The group’s mission is to pair LGBTQ+ individuals with allies who volunteer to be their chosen families, offering a space for acceptance and new traditions.
The organization’s growth shows a significant need for such services. Daniel Blevins, the founder, explained that the group provides a platform for people to either offer support or ask for it when they need it most. Stand in Pride has rapidly expanded and is now developing a location-based mobile app to make connecting even easier.
| Stand in Pride Statistics | Data |
|---|---|
| Members Worldwide | Over 300,000 |
| Countries Represented | 26 |
| Year Founded | 2021 |
The Growing Need for Alternative Celebrations
The trend of seeking alternative holiday plans is supported by recent data. A May 2024 survey of 2,000 Americans revealed that most prefer not to stick to traditional gatherings, with a large majority citing specific reasons for not going home.
For many in the LGBTQ+ community, the holidays can be a source of emotional strain. A 2023 survey by The Trevor Project found that fewer than 40% of LGBTQ+ and nonbinary youth feel their homes are affirming of their identity. This lack of acceptance can have severe consequences, highlighting why organizations like Stand in Pride are so crucial.
Reasons for this shift include:
- Finding a more supportive and accepting environment.
- Avoiding family conflict or stress.
- The desire for self-discovery and new experiences.
These chosen families provide a sanctuary, allowing members to recreate traditions in a space where they feel they truly belong.
From Family Dinners to Solo Adventures
While some find new families, others are choosing to spend the holidays alone. Vacation rental platform Beyond reported a significant jump in solo holiday bookings. Last Thanksgiving, solo trips made up 11.3% of bookings, and this year, that number rose to 20.6%.
Julie Brinkman, CEO of Beyond, believes the appeal lies in escaping the pressures of the season. “The holidays are incredibly stressful, and the ability to get away from that stress is appealing,” she noted.
Mikala Whitaker’s story is a powerful example. Instead of a traditional Christmas, she embarked on a solo journey to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. She explained, “I needed to give myself something to look forward to, do something really exciting, something to heal from this experience.” Her family supported her decision, understanding her need for a healing adventure.
