UK Government Pledges to Support LGBT+ Farmers

The UK government has announced an initiative to support LGBT+ farmers, reports Farming UK.

The initiative, aiming to end “prejudice and support rural LGBTQ+ diversity, inclusion and enablement” was signed by Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Goveand spearheaded by Agrespect, an organisation that aims to support LGBT people who live rurally.

“Farming today is an innovative and progressive industry that benefits greatly from being open to all, regardless of their background, gender, religion and sexuality,” said Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

“I hope that through the signing of this pledge we can further demonstrate our ongoing support for LGBTQ+ people in our rural communities.”

Agrespectwas created after a BBC report found LGBT+ farmers were especially at risk of mental health issues and suicide.

“We want rural organisations, colleges and businesses to be welcoming places for LGBTQ+ people,” the organisation said.

“The rural economy needs to attract and retain the very brightest and best people.

“Diversity leads to a better and more imaginative working and learning environment; the more perspectives we can explore, the more productive outcomes we are likely to reach. The farming community needs great new ideas now more than ever.”

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