Exiled from Ranch Country
/When the place you love becomes your enemy
Ranch country in Alberta, Canada (Photo courtesy Town of Black Diamond)
“Nothing in the culture that surrounded me taught me that being gay was ok. … So I’d pray every day for God to make me straight.”
— Heather Kitching
Growing up, Heather Kitching was enamored with rural life. She dreamed of living in the countryside, riding horses, wearing cowboy boots, and listening to country music.
But when she got a little older, she learned something about herself that threw a wrench into that dream. She realized that if she was going to be her true self, she’d need to leave behind the place she loved.
On this episode, she shares her story. It’s a story that first ran a few years ago, but it’s just as good now as it was then.
Subscribe to Out There on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you stream podcasts.
For Further Listening
If you enjoy this story, check out the episode “Out of the Shadows.” It’s about a mountaineer who is changing the narrative about trans people, one mountaintop at a time.
Better outside?
We have had to adapt to a lot since the start of the pandemic.
Restaurants have started serving customers in makeshift structures on the sidewalk, exercise studios host classes in the park, religious leaders address their communities in parking lots, and pop-up tents are the new clinics.
Many of these adaptations have been adequate. But at the end of the day, they’re temporary solutions. Once the pandemic is over, we’ll be glad to go back to our old ways.
What we’d like to know from you is: what has gotten better since it’s been moved outdoors?
Life has been really tough this past year. But do you have any examples of something that’s improved, now that it happens outside? Did you come up with a new idea for your business — something that’s so good you’ll keep it going, once the world gets back to normal? Do you have new daily rituals you want to continue? Changes in lifestyle? Newfound relationships?
We want to hear all of it!
Click “Start Recording” below to tell us what’s gotten better for you, since being moved outdoors. We can't wait to hear your responses — and we might use some of them on the show.
Discounts from our sponsors
For 20% off your first order of non-alcoholic beer from Athletic Brewing, enter the promo code “OUTTHERE20” at checkout.
For 10% off your first month of counseling with Better Help, click here.
If you have more than $10,000 in debt, click here for a free consultation with TurboDebt.
