Resources
Living in the countryside brings its own questions and pressures. Here are straightforward starting points and organisations that can help.
Rural surgeries are often small, and staff may have little experience with LGBTQ+ patients. You can ask for a different GP within the practice, take someone with you, or ask for a telephone appointment if being seen in the waiting room feels exposing.
In a village, news travels. There is no rule that says you must be out to everyone — you can choose who, when and how, and it is fine to be out in one part of your life and not another.
Harassment in a place where everyone knows each other can feel inescapable. Keep a note of dates, times and what happened, and report it — you can do that online, without going to a station.
Agricultural life brings its own pressures — long hours alone, family businesses, tied housing and tight-knit trades. Support exists that understands both farming and being LGBTQ+.
Rural rents, tied cottages and seasonal work can make leaving a difficult situation harder. These services give free, confidential advice.
Poor broadband and low confidence with technology keep many rural LGBTQ+ people out of online community life. Free help is available to get you set up and safe online.
We link to other organisations we trust, but we don't run their services. Know a rural-friendly service we should add? Tell Out Together and we'll take a look.