Many people fear the reactions of others if they come out as LGBTQ+ or reveal more of who they are. This fear of rejection or isolation is real in conservative, Christian-dominated communities we often find in agriculture. Tanner Keeton shares his story today of how he challenged his assumptions and stereotypes to find a community that would champion inclusivity in agriculture for LGBTQ+ people.
Today, Tanner works as a Global ID&E Consultant at Corteva Agriscience. You can find and connect with Tanner on LinkedIn.
How are you involved in the agriculture community?
Agriculture has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was raised in a household that made its living from Nursing and the Oil & Gas Industry.
My grandparents and great-grandparents owned a small ranch on the Canadian Riverbed in the Texas Panhandle. From there, I grew up showing pigs all over the country and then judged livestock at South Plains College.
During my senior year of high school, I was terrified of how I’d be accepted and nearly went to school for English. My great aunt – also a member of the LGBTQ+ community – told me to follow my passion and let the rest sort itself out.
I’ve gone on to participate in Agriculture Future of America, Cultivating Change, MANRRS, the Florida Pest Management Association, and PWIPM.
I’m sure everyone has educators who profoundly impact their lives. In industry, that was my ag teacher at West Texas High School. I’ll always be grateful for all I learned and the support I received.
I spent countless hours on the road hauling livestock, traveling to CDEs, LDEs, or whatever event I’d signed up for. My ag teacher’s willingness to educate, challenge, and advocate for his students showed me an agriculture industry I wanted to be involved in.
I wouldn’t be where I am today without teachers just like him who showed me what it meant to dare to be different.
Why are you proud to be part of the agriculture community?
Every day, our industry evolves and finds new ways to feed a changing world. It wakes up and continually challenges itself to do things better and differently than ever before.
I’m awe-struck by the innovation I see, and it’s empowering to know we’re moving towards a brighter future where we are more conscious stewards of the land and ensure the consumer knows about it.
How have you felt or seen support for LGBTQ+ in the agriculture community?
I talk about this often, but people are complex, and the diversity of an individual’s experience directly impacts how they perceive the world around them.
I was raised in a religious, conservative community and was surrounded by folks who often felt and believed the same. Yet those closest to me in this small West Texas town showed kindness first and were more accepting than I ever dreamed.
When I started as a freshman at South Plains College, I was terrified of what my coaches and teammates might think when I chose to come out. I was wrong.
My husband, Trevor (then boyfriend), and I were welcomed with open arms. I was accepted as a member of the team, and we became part of this family. They allowed me to belong, just as I was.
I had to challenge my assumptions about my teammates and coaches and let their actions show me.
I will be forever grateful for them and my time there because I’ve carried those experiences with me and keep them a constant reminder to challenge my perspective.
What advice do you have for LGBTQ+ members of the agriculture community?
Seek those who love all of you and give yourself some grace in the in-between. Learning to be authentically you is an emotionally tumultuous time. Understand if you preserve your peace and find your tribe, you’ll learn how fulfilling life can truly be.
Never assume how people may react based on who they are on paper, let them experience the whole you and decide for themselves. Oftentimes, they’ll surprise both you and them, and you’ll come out on the other side with the best of friends.
Embrace YOU. Love yourself and stop worrying about conforming to whatever standard you or those around you might have set. Remember, “if they ain’t paying your bills, don’t pay them no mind.”
If you’re ever struggling, please reach out to The Trevor Project. They specialize in providing crisis support to young LGBTQ+ people.
What can people in the agriculture community do to be allies of LGBTQ+ people?
Ask for grace. You don’t have to know all the answers, and it’s okay to ask questions when you are unsure what to do or say.
Ask how we are. Listen to what’s happening in the world and its impact on our lives. Try to make a difference by teaching others what language is or isn’t work-appropriate and listening to their concerns.
Actions can include fighting for more inclusive healthcare policies at your workplace or in state and federal legislation. This can also come in the form of including pronouns in your email signature to add visibility to your allyship.
Let yourself be known as a safe space and ensure that we are afforded the same work environments as you.
Be careful what you assume. Embrace others with kindness and compassion. Approach each conversation with the goal of challenging perspectives and changing the way people think about agriculture.
If we can do that, we’ll create a more inclusive agriculture community that welcomes everyone, ready to face the challenges of tomorrow.
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