Queer Mountaineers is a non-profit organization created by LGBTQIA2+ visionaries, activists, artists, and outdoor enthusiasts; the co-founders are Jude Glenn and Sarina Pizzala.

You don’t have to climb the world's tallest mountains to be a part of its community. It simply entails you bringing your most authentic self to their group. QM’s unique and varied offerings of outdoor and indoor recreational activities surely presents an activity that is accessible for anyone, at any fitness level.

Quick Facts about QM

• Queer Mountaineers aims to create inclusive outdoor community events for LGBTQ+ folks year-round, not just during Pride month.
• The organization has grown quickly, showing the need for community in this space.
• They partner with other local LGBTQ+ and BIPOC organizations when expanding to new areas to support rather than compete.
• They offer a range of activity difficulties to increase accessibility.

 

The Origin Story (and observations from the Author)

Jude started Queer Mountaineers a few years ago along with 4 other co-founders to create outdoor community for LGBTQ+ folks. It has grown rapidly since then. When I met Jude, it was right in the middle of the pandemic. Our friendship really “grew wings” when Jude, always beaming with hiking stories, inspired me to do my first back-packing trip I ever took in my life.

Over the course of an eight-mile hike to Blanca Lake, you get to really know someone. Jude would go a slow, leisurely pace; collecting berries for the gourmet pies they make along the way. The way Jude would move during a hike would strike me as someone who really wants to enjoy every step of the trail, moving as if they had all the time in the world. It was a lesson in mindfulness for me. We were both recovering from a lifetime of accumulated trauma, only heightened by the pandemic world events happening around us. I believe we both intuitively felt this time in our lives was an invitation to take “a retreat” within. And be in nature with a good friend.

Jude was exploring modern modalities of therapy. Like me, Jude was looking to heal familial, relationship and social trauma. Jude was looking into all the future-trending methods of treatment, while I decided to take more of the plant medicine approach to calm my PTSD and ADHD. I’ve been able to distill these insights by looking back in hindsight, to the year 2020 (very ironic, I know) to the time I spent with Jude. We shared dreams for future ventures that we both swore we would one day have. With a background in marketing and graphic design, Jude started sharing beautiful mock-ups and logos with me that evolved into the official symbol for the Queer Mountaineers group that we see today.

As Jude puts it, “The word “Queer” is an umbrella term that unites the whole community rather than having separate pockets divided by identity.” Jude and the organization aims to make activities fun and accessible. Jude often has to speak up about their needs, like going slower, due to having fibromyalgia. So they encourage others to do the same.

I knew then what I’ve come to see actualized into a reality now; the Queer Mountaineers is a movement and an invitation for anyone to get moving. No matter what kind of condition you are in. This idea is very much woven into the DNA of Jude and what makes Queer Mountaineers so special. Jude is THE “Queer Mountaineer”.

Queer Mountaineers Today
Now expanded into the Washington and Oregon regions, you can take part in all the seasonal fun! However, I can see the non-profit’s reach expanding beyond the PNW. The group's goal is to raise the visibility of the queer community by amplifying its voices through expression, community and inclusivity. Queer Mountaineers organizes a variety of events, including gym climbing nights, hikes, social gatherings, mountaineering skill courses, ski events, guided climbs, and charitable fundraising. The organization is also striving to diversify the outdoor industry and provide accessible pathways for volunteers and participants.

You can get access to their full list of events here:
https://www.queermountaineers.com/washington-events
There are events that are specially designed to unite the queer community, friends and family. The group offers a supportive environment for participants to connect, share experiences, and enjoy the sport together with such colorful events like “Pride in the Pow”; a ski event on Crystal Mountain, in collaboration with Seattle Pride and QPOC Hikers. The event took place last month and had celebrity drag queens, like @missmondaymourning, @therowanruthless and @hoochiepapa dancing on the slopes with DJs and other skiers under the sun.

Another activity worth highlighting is the group’s indoor rock climbing events, Queer Climb Night, a thrilling adventure in a controlled temperature environment that brings together strength, courage and community support. Especially for people like me as the adrenaline is always rushing due to my fear of heights! The Queer Mountaineer group is about embracing who you, fears and all, while finding your tribe in unexpected places. The group is also part of a larger effort to empower outdoor enthusiasts to take collective action and reduce impacts on the natural world.

As we were catching-up, I mentioned to Jude that I saw recognition for his group by the American Alpine Club. The organization awarded him with the Catalyst Grant and they took all the money they received and put it back into QM for an all-queer climb of Mt. Baker (also known as Mt. Kulshan). Jude commented: “ We basically did a very low cost for most of the participants, which ended up being quite a few volunteers that were given those lower cost spots. Then we had three full scholarship spots for members of the QT BIPOC community as well so those participants didn't have to pay anything for the guiding services for that trip. As far as I can tell, QM is the first queer organization that coordinated a climb for Mt. Baker,” says Jude.

Queer Mountaineers collaborates with gyms to integrate them into their inclusive family, offering guidance and promotional assistance. They also provide exclusive event kits for other groups that want to host events; recognition for volunteer hosts, and resource provision for volunteers planning additional community activities. As a gym or event host, you are able to play a pivotal role in orchestrating monthly events creating a welcoming atmosphere for participants.

Jude Glenn (Founder of Queer Mountaineers) posing with Stephanie Joyce (PulseDNA Founder) as they get ready to hike the Blanca Lake trail in Washington State.

Impacts and Success Stories
For many people, the QM events are transformative experiences that provide them with the opportunity to grow and connect more deeply. Advocates in the program, like Sarah and Alex, indicate the importance of supporting the LGBTQIA2+ community and actively encouraging diversity in outdoor places.

During difficult times for everyone right now, the group provides strength and acceptance to those dealing with mental health issues. Beyond personal growth, the group has worked to promote diversity and inclusiveness in the outdoor sector.

Thanks to shared outdoor adventures and the supportive network that Jude and Sarina have built, there is a sense of belonging that invites everyone to be themselves, wherever they are at right now. And it starts with taking a few slow steps in the great outdoors.

Should outdoor organizations prioritize LGBTQ+ inclusivity and visibility, as exemplified by Queer Mountaineers, to enhance community connections and diversify outdoor spaces?

Source:
https://www.sgn.org/story.php?322991
https://www.queermountaineers.com/our-team
https://weareher.com/lesbian-rock-climbing/
https://www.queermountaineers.com/queer-climb-night
https://gcn.ie/meet-queer-mountaineers-conquering-summits-lgbtq-visibility/

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