Revisiting the story of Benjy, the gay bull who captured hearts in Ireland

gcn.ie:

slaughterhouse. Thankfully, a local journalist named Joanna McNicholas intervened by sharing his story which captured hearts in Ireland and abroad.After Benjy’s story made headlines, animal rights groups and LGBTQ+ activists spoke out against the injustice and the #SaveBenjy campaign was born.

Ireland’s Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) and The Gay UK worked together to create a crowdfunding campaign to save the bull.The campaign gained public support as prominent news organisations and celebrities including Graham Norton shared Benjy’s story.

PETA even shared the story with The Simpson‘s producer and co-creator, Sam Simon, who ultimately paid £5,000 to send Benjy to the Hillside Animal Sanctuary in Norwich – a beautiful shelter in the UK.Everyone rejoiced when Benjy was rehoused.

While he initially enjoyed meeting other bulls at the animal sanctuary, Benjy’s story took a turn when he was caught spending time with a female cow, leading to rumours that he may actually be bisexual.Little was known about his life after moving abroad, but five years later, the same local journalist worked with RTÉ Radio to create a documentary called Benjy the Little Gay Bull which revisits his story.Benjy is a bull, and Benjy doesn't like girls. @RTERadio1 Documentary on One 'Benjy The Little Gay Bull' (2019) | Listen now: https://t.co/d5UTkBqDTH @RTEdoconone pic.twitter.com/Vlqjm9FJeC— RTÉ (@rte) September 1, 2019The documentary first summarised how Benjy’s story gathered international attention, and then provided an update on Benjy’s life in 2019.