PRIDE IN THE OUTDOORS

Words by Robyn Quick

The saying “you can’t be what you can’t see” has gained popularity around the globe in relation to many marginalised groups. It means, simply, how can someone aspire to be something if there is not a role model to show them it can be done? Inaccessibility for members of the LGBTQ+ community may not be the first thing that springs to mind, particularly when you think about the rights that they have been denied, but its effects are more serious than you might expect. According to statistics from joint research by Public Health England and National LGBT Partnership, only 42% of LGBT people meet the level of physical activity required for good health, compared to 59% of people in the general population.

This could be put down to several factors. First, LGBT exclusive events are often limited to clubbing in gay bars and getting drunk. Don’t get me wrong, that stuff is great, but queer people do, surprisingly enough, have interests outside of alcohol.

As a queer person with a love for the outdoors myself, I have struggled to find ways to socialise with other LGBT people beyond drinking events. The inclusion of safe spaces for LGBT people in the last decade has, however, massively improved. From football clubs to hiking groups, there is an increasing variety of spaces for queer people to experience the outdoors and connect with eachother. In the US, the market for queer outdoor activity seems to be booming.

There are countless groups of surfers and outdoor influencers grinning with pride flags draped around their shoulders on social media. This may be because the sun is shining more often than in the UK, but this does mean there are less opportunities for queer people to interact with people like them in the outdoors.

Another reason for queer people not participating in outdoor activities stems from a fear of being treated differently from others. Queer Out Here, an LGBT inclusive walking group, started in 2020 in an attempt to combat this problem. Founder Ailish Breen says that having this space allows both newcomers and seasoned outdoor explorers to feel safe. “You don’t have to be on your guard for microaggressions or harassment; you can just enjoy your day, maybe make new friends, maybe learn something about the outdoors or about yourself,” they said. “It can be daunting getting started in the outdoors; finding your own way into it if you haven’t been hiking all your life takes some courage,” Ailish added.

Groups like Queer Out Here can feel validating as well as important for improving physical and mental wellbeing. Ailish hopes that outdoor groups will “educate themselves on how to be welcoming to queer folk and how to be allies in the outdoors.” They hope that “queer folk [can] have joyful experiences in the outdoors together”, and can feel safe wherever they choose to explore.

People to follow:

@pattiegonia

A backpacking drag queen who travels the world with a specialism in snow sports

@atheneclub

A network which hopes to connect young women from all backgrounds to the outdoors

@outdoorlads

A group encouraging men from the LGBTQ+ community to enjoy nature in a comfortable environment

Visit: Queer Out Here

Walking and hiking group with regular events each month