ISSUE 2
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QUEERING RURAL SCOTLAND WORDS KIERAN SINCLAIR
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he LGBTQ+ experience is different, depending on where you live in Scotland. In 2020, The Scottish Equality Network launched ‘Further Out: The Scottish LGBTQ+ Rural Equality Report’, dedicated to illuminating the specific issues that LGBTQ+ people living in rural Scotland experience. Alarmingly, the report displayed a clear divide between those living in rural and urban Scotland. 70% of respondents felt that more needs to be done to tackle inequality outside of bigger cities, and 62% believed that LGBTQ+ people outside of Scotland’s bigger cities face higher levels of inequality. Reasons were wide ranging, from poor access to essential services, such as health and wellbeing support, to scarce LGBTQ+ visibility, and virtually no LGBTQ+ inclusive spaces. (Further Out: The Scottish LGBTQ+ Rural Equality Report. 2020:33). The report provided so many barriers that prevent LGBTQ+ people from staying in their home communities, or new residents from moving in. What we know, is that LGBTQ+ people are leaving rural areas, and moving to the city. Reading these statistics, I feel motivated to do something. Frustrated, by the lack of action in tackling these disproportionate levels of inequality. Yet, hopeful, that progressive change will happen – if we make it so.
ORKNEY’S ACCEPTANCE AND OPENNESS Growing up on the Orkney Isles, I feel I have a hopefully story to tell. My home island has a community of about 350 folks. Everyone is a neighbour, friend, relative of sorts. The island is small in population, but huge in community. The Island of Hoy has a proud heritage of acceptance and openness to others. During WW2, the island became a military base. The population escalated. But the local community welcomed their new neighbours. My own family opened their doors to strangers, who soon became friends. My home island has a philosophy: take people as you find them. Your character is what matters, not your label. I feel, this philosophy has transcended time.
HAPPY GAY DUDE My experience as a gay dude, is a really rather happy one. From what I can remember, the island embraced that part of me. There were questions about sexuality, but those who were asking, did so from a point of curiosity to learn, I felt. Because I knew most islanders, there was an established relationship, from which
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promising conversation evolved. Of course, homophobia was not eradicated. However, voices of prejudice were certainly the quiet minority – not that I heard them. I have always felt a strong sense of belonging and profound connection to my home island. Maybe, this has been in part due to my community of allies. But not everyone has the same sense of safety and belonging to their home. Despite the warmth of community, I do still resonate with many of the issues that the Scottish Equality Report surfaced. For the past year (or however long the pandemic has been going on for now), the lack of LGBTQ+ visibility, expression, and community has left me feeling isolated. Without a Queer Space, you do feel, in a sense, left on the periphery. You are alone. Without an established queer space, such as a gay bar/ café, meeting groups, the ability to forge connections is difficult. The Equality report suggests that this feeling is widespread. Many respondents said that in order to socialise with LGBTQ+ people, in safe and inclusive spaces, they travelled to the city. (Further Out: The Scottish LGBT Rural Equality Report. 2020:33). Otherwise, they would not have had the chance to meet likeminded people. But is it really fair to expect people to travel miles away from home, in search of connection – a basic human need. The degree of disparity is layered, for the opportunity of travel is restricted to those who can afford the time and cost. Financial insecurity therefore plays a role in limiting the LGBTQ+ community from accessing safe and inclusive spaces. It’s time to talk about the LGBTQ+ experience in rural Scotland as unjust. Now, we need to curate a platform of expression, where many more queer voices can be heard.
ACCEPTANCE AND EQUALITY In a recent Ideas Café, hosted by Rural Youth Project, I joined a panel of speakers, where we discussed Acceptance and Equality for LGBTQ+ people in rural Scotland. Julie-Anne Lyons and Paula Manners, represented LGBTQ+ Youth Scotland, and talked about the importance of Queer visibility and allyship in local communities, in order to demonstrate inclusion. A simple gesture, such as placing a Pride Flag in a shop window, a subtle, yet bold way to show your support. An excellent example of this was shown by the Orkney Pride Group. Orkney was due to celebrate its first ever pride celebration (the most northernly pride celebration in Britain) but was unfortunately postponed due to the pandemic.
