Ben Lewis who has his own Farm in the lush countryside of Wales led a very unfulfilled life as he firmly believed that it was impossible to be gay if you are a farmer. Life in the closet is particularly tough when there are far more animals than people to share you life with. But that is exactly what he did until just a few years back when he had what he called a ‘lightbulb’ moment. He realised that something had to happen not just for himself but for the people around him that he loved and who loved him
Opening himself up to his family and friends he was still convinced that he would have to give up farming to enjoy a relationship, that is until one day he got a message via Facebook that changed his life.
He and Frazer have been together for two years now and seem very compatible and extremely happy as Frazier makes himself useful fixing things around the farm…..besides Ben that is. They say that attitudes in their community are changing thanks to social media, and although he doesn’t acknowledge it, probably to his own example of living an honest and authentic life
Now Ben wants to share his story to help others that may be facing a similar predicament to his own He says ‘ In hindsight I wish I had known that the person with the biggest problem with it was myself, and coming to terms with it myself .”
Ben shared his story with ITV Wales and you can watch it below.
P.S. Also check out https://eatfarmnow.com/author/agrespect/ Who celebrate stories like Ben and other LGBTQ+ folk living in the remote countryside and whom they want to help to unite, celebrate them and encourage inclusiveness in rural communities.
P.P.S. Also you may like to check out LANDLINE a short documentary from filmmaker Matt Houghton about the phone helpline for LGBTQ Farmes in the UK. Click HERE for our interview with producer Rupert Williams and HERE to watch the film
Labels: 2019, gay farmers
