In Trust We Begin: How Trust Transforms Loneliness Into Connection

Loneliness is often framed as a lack of company—but what if it’s actually a lack of trust? In this deeply personal and evidence-backed piece, we explore how broken trust shapes queer disconnection, why epistemic trust matters more than we realise, and how rebuilding trust (in ourselves and others) might be the most powerful antidote to isolation. With insights from So Lonely, Arthur C. Brooks, Esther Perel, and lived experience, this article offers practical strategies for cultivating meaningful, resilient connection.