Connecting young Irish Gay Farmers ...🐄🐄🐄

Liamerick

Hello .

As any person knows it can be difficult for young Gay or Straight people to meet up or socialise In rural Ireland.

For the first time this year Macra na Feirme took part in a Gay Pride parade . To be honest , as a Macra member I feel that this was only tokenism and hasn’t changed anything substantially .

I personally struggle with trying to make any meaningful social interaction with other gay people of a similar background (farming and such ) and I presume others are in the same boat .

I was wondering , would any of you out there think there was room for some kind of Young Gay Farmers Association in Ireland . Something that could help bring together young farmers from across the country to meet and socialise in An informal manner , and maybe develop over time to include broader issues such as legal issues for lgtb farmers , social and health issues . I know that If such a group was available currently , it would help me in such a huge way . Any insight or interest or advice would be greatly appreciated .

Cheers ðŸ„ðŸ„ðŸ„ðŸ„

JupiterKid

Hi there OP.

The possible formation of a gay farmer’s group would be a great help to the many gay farmers out there in rural areas who must often feel very isolated and lonely. I know such a group has been set up in the UK.

I started a thread in the Farming and Forestry forum about whether posters there would accept a neighbouring farmer being openly gay (I have a cousin up in Tyrone who is a Farm Manager and he is out and living with his male partner and gets on well with neighbours) - and the responses were mixed but most posters there said they would have no problem at all.

Here’s a link to the thread:
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=66319512

Liamerick

Thank you ,
I’ve actually read parts of that thread before , but only as a bystander , and it makes for interesting reading for sure . It is only the last while that I decided it was time to jump into action and do something about it .

I suppose a certain level of anonymity would be paramount , as many have family issues and such which would make it too difficult to openly take part in a gay farmers group . And that is understandable .

Hopefully if I spread the word , people in a similar situation will get in touch . ������

lyinghere

I think you should aim to build on what Macra are doing and make improvements where you see fit. Macra has a solid grounding within the community, this needs the backing of a larger organisation to be a success.

Instead of just saying what Macra did was tokenism get more involved and drive the changes you want.

Liamerick

Thank you for your insight , and I really appreciate all opinions .
However , I feel that the traditional format of Clubs in Macra will not cater for a more dispersed and diverse community (or lack thereof ) amongst young gay Irish farmers .

Over the years I’ve spoken to several other young farmers that would not appreciate being “out” or vocal about their sexuality due to many issues or just personal preference , and I feel that they need a safe anonymous social environment where they can socialise and perhaps discuss problems that may not be at the fore front of Macra Diversity Campaigns.

It is only through smaller gestures away from the limelight that will lead to greater change acceptance and hopefully diversity in such youth organisations .
Thanks again for your input .