Co-created by Leeton's Abbey O'Callaghan and her friend Holli Walsh, the network is a closed Facebook group and website for members of the LGBTQIA+ community in rural and regional Australia.

Both Ms Walsh and Ms O'Callaghan said the initiative was founded after finding a gap for support services and initiatives for the LGBTQIA+ community in the country.

"There are lower visible signs of LGBTQIA+ allies in regional areas compared to metro areas and we see a real opportunity for celebrating pride in the country," Ms Walsh said.

Growing up in a small country town herself, Ms O'Callaghan said personal experience was one of the drivers behind the Rural Pride Network.

"I'm a member of the LGBTQIA+ community myself, which is just one of the reasons we are passionate about the impact we believe our initiative could have," she said.

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"We are really excited to see where this takes us. We plan to develop evidence based and expert led resources for members, be guided by their ideas, and support them to bring about positive change in their own rural communities.

"Individuals in regional areas are more likely to experience unwanted comments and, bullying and harassment than their peers in the city.

"This has to be impacting the potential of LGBTQIA+ people living in rural and regional Australia. By creating a culture where people feel uninhibited and unrestricted by who they are, we can realise and unlock a raft of incredible qualities for rural and regional communities that are currently suppressed."

Both women also work together at an organisation whose vision is to grow the prosperity of rural industries and communities, and say inclusion and diversity will be key to a flourishing future for these industries and communities.

Leeton's own Flip Nolen has jumped on board to support the organisation and initiative by sharing her own personal experience in the hopes it gives others courage to just be themselves.

"'Coming out; is such a traumatic experience for so many people and one which I would have done differently if I had my time again," Ms Nolen said in a blog written for the Rural Pride Network.

"Actually, if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have 'come out' at all. And by that, I mean I am so comfortable in my own skin I would see no need.

"I'm now proud to say that I'm Flip and I'm lesbian. I'm also 50, single and living in rural NSW. I never had any LGBTQIA+ role models or mentors growing up, but at my stage in life and the lived experience I've had, I'm going to make sure if any young person is struggling with their identity, they know I will support them as much as possible, so they feel comfortable and don't have to be someone they're not."

You can read more of Ms Nolen's blog here and for more information about the initiative visit https://theruralpridenetwork.org/.

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