agazine that covers midwestern agriculture and part-time news editor for a gay and lesbian paper “Equal Time”.Al and John did not broadcast their homosexuality, but was not going to hide it either. Al and John both grew up on dairy farms. Al and John encountered all views on their sexuality. Some thought they were brothers, while others were skeptical, and for some it never occurred to them at all. Al and John had been active in local farmers organizations but this was changing due to increased awareness of their homosexuality. The awareness came when they took their prize bull to the State Fair and won. They began advertising their cattle in the Guernsey breeders’ magazine. They also placed an ad in the “Equal Time” urging everyone to stop by and see them will they were in the cattle barn at the State Fair. The number of gay and lesbian farmers that stopped by astounded them. John and Al were able to connect and interact with more gays and lesbians due to their openness. They had a group they could bond with now. Although they had a group to interact with now, Al still faced a distressing episode. A homophobic mother complained to the 4-H that Al, dairy cattle judging team coach, was gay. Al thinking of the kids and not wanting to cause turmoil he resigned. Ironically, returning to the farm helped Al and John to reconcile with their homophobic parents who were devastated when they found out their sons were gay. John and Al where the only children still currently involved in farming. John’s father was still farming the family farm and had not expected John, of all his children, to return to agriculture. Farming was an aspect in John’s life that his father could relate to. They were able to share ideas and support. Al and John’s relationship also became stronger since they were able to do what they wanted with their lives and was able to connect with the other gay and lesbian farmers.Homose...
