{"id":72831,"date":"2025-02-07T03:43:37","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T03:43:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/agriculture\/impact-of-lbgtq-visibility-jon-raymond-dykstra\/"},"modified":"2025-02-07T03:43:37","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T03:43:37","slug":"impact-of-lbgtq-visibility-jon-raymond-dykstra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=72831","title":{"rendered":"Impact of LBGTQ Visibility | Jon Raymond Dykstra"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Today we\u2019ll hear from Jon Raymond Dykstra (he\/him), who lives in Kingston, Prince Edward Island, Canada and shares insight on LGBTQ visibility.<\/p>\n

I first came across Jon Raymond\u2019s story when he shared his perspective on Instagram<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I were to go back and give some advice to my younger self, instead of living in fear and looking for every reason to hide and stay in the closet, it would be to look for every reason to come out. Living in fear of being found out left me so guarded and on edge. I was so unhappy and didn\u2019t even realize it. If I had looked around for the positive, I would have seen there was a place for me and wouldn\u2019t have waited so long to come out.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Jon Raymond works in the livestock nutrition industry, milks cows on the weekends, and raises and breeds dairy show heifers. You can connect with Jon on Instagram (@Jon.Dykstra)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Impact<\/figure>\n

It\u2019s a great feeling to know you help feed the world, and to work alongside passionate, like-minded people is great!<\/p>\n

I remember attending my first Royal Agricultural Winter Fair after coming out and meeting so many other members of the LGBTQ+ community involved in agriculture. Where I was from, I didn\u2019t see anyone like me involved in Ag, so to meet other supportive people like me was finally an eye-opener and very encouraging.<\/p>\n

\"Impact<\/figure>\n

One thing I find important is to not hide from others and to be proud of who you are. I never fully understood \u201cPride\u201d before coming out but it\u2019s not only for you. It\u2019s for others who will see you and realize they can be their happy genuine selves.<\/p>\n

It makes others realize they aren\u2019t alone in their journey and, by participating in such things, gives you that platform and LGBTQ visibility to others and maybe has an impact that person needs.<\/p>\n

Lastly, it\u2019s important to remember that \u201cPride\u201d is more than just during June or during \u201cPride Week\u201d; it\u2019s 365 days a year.<\/p>\n

\"Impact<\/figure>\n

If you want to be a better ally, help provide visibility for those who may not look like you. That can mean sharing social media posts and showing support for events in your community. If you help organize events, ensure they are welcoming spaces and have a diverse representation among speakers.<\/p>\n

Is there anything else you\u2019d like to share on LBGTQ visibility?<\/h2>\n

My biggest regret about coming out was that I didn\u2019t do it sooner. I know not everyone is in the same situation or they are on different paths of their life\u2019s journey but nothing beats living life as your true self.<\/p>\n

\t\t<\/p>\n

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