Gay pride takes root in Quebec farming community

August is a busy month for JoDesjardins, a dairy farmer inSainte-Croix, in Quebec'sChaudire-Appalachesregion.

It's harvest season,whentomato plants hang heavy and Swiss chard grows dark and lush.

It'salso Pride month in Canada, which means that forDesjardins, the president ofFiertAgricole, any moments not spent in the garden or with the herd he raises with his partner, Michel Desrochers,are spent at LGBT pride festivals across the region.

FiertAgricolebrings together LGBTQuebecerswho share a common interest inagricultural and rural life. It was formed to address the lonelinessthatDesjardinssays ispervasive amongLGBTfarmers.

It's a story thatDesjardinsoften hears from the group's new members, who say that between working dawn to duskand living in thecountry they don't get much opportunity to go out and meet other LGBT people, leaving them often feeling isolated and alone.

Gathering around dinner table

FiertAgricolebegan in 2008, after Maria Labrecque-Duchesneau a socialworker and founder of a respite house called Au coeur des familles agricolesbrought a group ofLGBTfarmers together for a Christmas dinner after having heard from them about the loneliness they face.

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Today, nearly 10 years later, the group has 40 official membersand more than 150 on itsmailing list.

They meet about every two months as a group and hold informal gatherings between meetings. Events includeChristmas dinner, fondue nights, farm visits and Pride parades.

The gatherings,Desjardinssays, are a rare opportunity to relax with other LGBT people.

"When you go to a restaurant with your spouse, you're the onlyLGBTQ+ in the village,"he said, adding that the experience is often accompanied by judgmental glances.

"So you don't want to go out anymore, you just want to stay on your farm and work."

A diverse membership

FiertAgricolemembersrange in age from 18 to 80.

Whilesome younger members have been out since their early teens, someolder members were in heterosexual marriagesand had kidsbefore coming out.

Desjardinssays these differences provide an opportunity for members to learn from each other.

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FiertAgricolefarmers have a wide range of specialties, as well. Membersincludemaple sugar bush operators, dairy farmers, vegetable growers and others.

ForDesjardins, meeting farmers from such a varietyof backgroundshas alsobenefited his farm, as it's provided an opportunity for him to learn about different species, crops and methods.

"By visiting the farms and the friends that we made there, we brought new ideas," he said. "We could be more protective of the environment."

"Now we have three breeds [of cows], added chickens, added a garden, added apple trees and stuff like that."

Members of the group will take part in Pride parades inMontrealonAug. 20, inSherbrooke on Aug. 26 and in Quebec City on Sept. 2.