Celebrating LGBTQ+ voices in agriculture: Out in the Country

A partnership has been formed between farmer Graham Clarke, ex-NFU regional director Adam Bedford, and Leeds-based LGBTQ+ charity Out Together.

The mission? To create a rural LGBTQ+ community honouring lifelong farmer and friend, Mike Potter.

Mike, a potato farmer from North Yorkshire, came out as gay at the age of 72 having felt compelled to hide his true self from the farming industry for most of his life.

He sadly passed away in October 2022 at the age of 76, after battling Parkinson’s disease.

See also: ‘It took 15 years to come out – but my fears were unfounded’

Mike Potter © Graham Clarke

As executors of Mike’s estate, Adam and Graham believed he would have wanted his savings to support initiatives that foster inclusivity for rural LGBTQ+ individuals.

Driven by Mike’s memory and the challenges they knew he faced as a gay man in farming, the pair shared his story with charity trustees Tim Gittins and Matt Jameson from Out Together.

Tim said: “We were so touched by Mike’s story that we immediately wanted to start working with Adam and Graham to put on events for LGBTQ+ people living rurally.

“Everyone deserves to feel connected and supported wherever they live.”

From left: Tim Gittins, Matt Jameson, Graham Clarke and Adam Bedford © Clancy Walker

Out on the farm 

Together, they organised their first joint event, “Out on the Farm”, held on 22 September at Graham’s family farm in Pickhill, Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

The event drew more than 140 attendees from various backgrounds and included music and food.

A highlight was a cooking demonstration by Yorkshire chef Steph Moon, known from the BBC’s Great British Menu, who amazed guests by preparing a three-course meal in less than 45 minutes.

Yorkshire chef Steph Moon in action at the Out on the Farm event © Clancy Walker

Aside from the smorgasbord of food, fun, and tractor tours, the day provided a chance for LGBTQ+ farmers to foster connections and build community spirit, with many guests experiencing a gathering like it for the first time.

“What we have learned from Out on the Farm is that isolation can be even more pronounced in the countryside; LGBTQ+ people can face numerous additional challenges in making social connections as fewer resources are available, distances are greater, and social pressures can be more evident,” says Tim.

Adam, a close friend of Mike for more than 20 years since their days at Askham Bryan College, reflected on the day:

“I’ve never seen such a diverse group of people come together for a party on a farm in North Yorkshire. Mike would have loved it – it was truly fantastic!”

Isolation

Reflecting on Mike’s journey and how he had wanted to share his life with a partner, which ultimately went unfulfilled, Adam stresses the importance of creating welcoming spaces, especially in rural areas where LGBTQ+ individuals often encounter isolation.

“We have come a long way, but we still have much further to go in agriculture.

“Mike’s story illustrates this; I’m sure he would have come out earlier if he’d had an LGBTQ+ community around him,” Adam says.

Already working to combat isolation for rural LGBTQ+ communities is AgRespect, a collective of LGBTQ+ farmers advocating for equality and inclusion in the countryside.

Julie Robinson, who attended the Out on the Farm event on behalf of AgRespect, said:

“As a group of happy lesbians and gay men on tractors who knew Mike, we were excited to support and promote the event.

“I had a fantastic time and look forward to what this new partnership will create for our rural LGBTQ+ communities.”

Future plans

Following the success of the inaugural event, Adam, Graham, and the charity have pledged to develop future initiatives, recognising the need for events like it to continue.

To support this vision, Mike’s estate will make a further donation to help Out Together explore new networks and create additional activities for the LGBTQ+ rural community.

This backing will enable the charity to launch its new project, “Out in the Country”.

In spring 2025, the project plans to trial new community “hubs” in North Yorkshire.

These safe spaces – whether a coffee shop, village hall, or other welcoming venue – will provide opportunities for people to socialise and share experiences of LGBTQ+ life in rural areas.

“We hope the trial will lead to us hosting regular gatherings in different villages or small towns that will make social and support networks a local reality,” says Tim.

The project will also develop a “virtual neighbourhood”— an online community platform that will complement the in-person events.

This recognises that social opportunities in the countryside are often limited due to working schedules or concerns about LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Tim believes that digital outreach can connect people across scattered communities and ensure consistent support.

“Since 2022, our charity has successfully used ‘telefriending’ networks to contact individuals who are unable or unwilling to attend events physically,” he says.

“In rural areas, we think online support groups, forums, and virtual meet-ups may be more accessible for some people to begin with, than in-person gatherings.”

By elevating LGBTQ+ voices and fostering connections both in person and online, the partnership aims to create lasting change in rural communities, ensuring that everyone feels they belong.

For regular updates on the project or to get involved, visit the Out Together website or send an email to hello@outtogether.lgbt with the subject “Out in the Country”.

Case study: Finding a safe space to be herself

Among the attendees at the Out on the Farm event was Rosie, a 27-year-old dairy farmer from North Yorkshire.

Although she identifies as queer, she remains cautious about being fully open in the farming community.

“I’m ‘out’ to my close friends and family, but not at work,” she says.

“There’s hesitancy on my part due to personal experiences in the industry. Sadly, it can feel challenging sometimes. Agriculture is not very good at being open-minded.

“The main challenge is getting people to see beyond a word and not judge something before it’s understood.”

Rosie learned about the on-farm event through AgRespect on Instagram.

“I was eager to connect with others locally, as I’ve never encountered a rural LGBTQ+ event before, and I was so pleased to find this one.”

Reflecting on the event, she says: “It was honestly so nice, really relaxed. Everybody was just there to be themselves in a lovely, safe environment.

“The age span was incredible; it was amazing to see Mike’s generation there, too, being open and honest.”

Following the event, Rosie expressed her hopes for the future:

“It would be wonderful if anyone, young or old, in this industry, had access to a supportive space locally. Monthly meet-ups could make a massive difference to people’s lives.”

© Rosie