Dear Tractor Supply

Dear Tractor Supply & rural LGBTQIA2S+ people everywhere, 

Yes, Tractor Supply’s June statement is disappointing in some ways, mainly by contributing to a false narrative that rural communities aren’t places for us.  

It’s actually giving us an important reminder that we can’t count on corporations for our liberation. Tractor Supply and Target and Walmart and Hannaford and and and… do not share our desire for a transformed and collectively liberated world, no matter how many rainbows they print on their products during June.

We are farmers, ranchers, vets, truck drivers, teachers, anglers, mechanics, and more. LGBTIQA2S+ people are part of every community and we are having every type of human experience there is. We are integral parts of the fabric of rural America and no pandering corporate language can change that. 

What this statement mostly tells us is that Tractor Supply doesn’t have the deep knowledge of our rural communities that they claim. They can feign division, but we know what they don't: rural queer & trans people have been in rural places forever, we’re not going anywhere any time soon, and we’re the best neighbors anyone could ever have.

So, say whatever you want, Tractor Supply. We’ll be out here haying and rolling in it together.

Queerly yours, 

Out in the Open 

Building Power of Rural LGBTQ+ People