Taking pride in our countryside and rural communities

February is LGBT+ History Month so it seems fitting to shine a light on LGBT+ communities in our rural villages and towns.

At CPRE we believe in a countryside which is inclusive and diverse where we can all be ourselves whatever our identity or background, but this is not always easy in rural communities. Unlike in large towns and cities, there is seldom a visible LGBT+ community to engage with in rural areas and sadly hostile homophobia and transphobia is not uncommon.

But things are changing in a part of Bedfordshire that is setting an example for other rural communities. Proud Ampthill and Flitwick (Proud AF) was formed in 2022 as a joint initiative between Flitwick Town Council and Ampthill Town Council and aims to offer a range of new services and events to the LGBT+ community and allies living in the area. Surrounding smaller parish councils have been supportive showing that you don’t need a big community to champion inclusion and diversity. In the two years Proud AF has been running, the group have held several events that have been well received by the LGBT+ community.

This month they have hosted a number of events including their Annual LGBT+ History Month reception which welcomed speakers from the Terrence Higgins Trust and mental health researcher from East London NHS Foundation Trust, Nelly Wright. Nelly talked about the importance of community and how it is good to be able to share LGBT+ history month with everyone at the event.

Parish and Town council have an important part to play in increasing diversity and inclusion. This tier of local government is the closest to the community so are well placed to develop groups like Proud AF and increase community cohesion. The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) recognises this and has set up a LGBT+ councillors’ national network which aims to bring LGBT+ councillors together to share ideas and inspire change in our local communities and to provide support and resources for councils that want to engage in this important area.

LGBT Bedfordshire are a group also working to develop community cohesion by seeking to educate the wider community and ensuring everyone can achieve whatever they want regardless of their differences. The group run a regular LGBT+ Walk Club that explores some of Bedfordshire’s best countryside walks and connects people with the countryside and each other.

With the ever-increasing housing development in Bedfordshire our communities are changing and becoming more diverse so there is a need to ensure that, like all underrepresented groups, LGBT+ people feel welcomed and have opportunities to engage with the community. Local councils can help raise awareness of LGBT+ issues and bring communities together to develop tolerance and understanding. Then together we can all enjoy the countryside and the great benefits our rural communities have to offer.

The next Proud AF event is the Picnic in the Park on Sunday 2nd June.

Read more on the CPRE website

Joe Jukes, who researches LGBT+ experiences of the countryside has written a number of articles for CPRE:

Make yourself a(t) home: finding queer identity in the countryside.

Somerset’s smallest Pride: how rural communities are stepping out and moving forward.