One of the successes of QUEERGURU that we are most proud of is how far our reach has extended over the past 10 years. With followers in over 50 countries that gave us 750K hits on Facebook alone last month, our greatest pleasure is reaching queer people in countries where it is still illegal to be gay (there are 68 of them). The internet in particular, has allowed us to reach remote places where the Queerguru reader may literally be ‘the only gay in the village” . From someone like me who had to move to London to find other gay people, it’s truly wonderful that people can now be living openly gay in society in even out-the-way places.
Like Cumbria. If you are not from the UK you will probably never have heard of this large expanse of spectacular beautiful countryside that makes up the furthest county in the North West, which borders on Scotland. It’s population is largely rural and has the second-lowest population density among English counties plus for some reason (unknown to us) it is one of the country’s most ethnically homogeneous counties, with 95% categorised as White British .
And thanks to an email that landed in our inbox this week, we have learned it has a thriving and well-organized gay community. Queer Cumbria CIC is a collective of Queer people from Cumbria, all of whom are rooted in local communities and are passionate about empowering and enabling Queer people to create the positive change needed not only for LGBTQ+ people but for all those affected by inequality and marginalisation.
Cumbria has its own version of Fox News, which is the only mainstream news outlet and as such has a monopoly on how news is presented. So Queer Cumbria created their own magazine which provides an alternative platform that represents Queer issues honestly, supports Queer creatives to contribute their work and develops creative careers.
Queer Cumbria magazine is available both online and in print, with copies given out free to cafes and event spaces across the county. Those days of sitting back feeling helpless has long gone and the Magazine also reaches queer marginalised folks and inform them of all the events when they can to come together to socialise, build solidarity and have a nice time!
One should never have any regrets BUT I wish I could swap my difficult adolescence in the ‘burb’s’ with being myself in the Cumbrian countryside. Maybe in my next life
Check out their very professional looking magazine HERE
