Out in the Outdoors: Negotiating One's LGBTQ+ Identity in Outdoor Communities


Lillie Goodson, University of British Columbia

Due to the white, male dominated, and colonial history of the outdoors in Canada, outdoor activities and communities have historically lacked diversity. Recently, there has been a push to make these spaces more inclusive and to reframe this narrative around who is “welcome” in the outdoors. As a result, literature exists about peoples gender and racial identities and how they relate to the outdoors. Nonetheless, research about the experiences of LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, etc.) people in the outdoors is lacking. To fill this gap, this research project used qualitative interviews to explore how LGBTQ+ people negotiate their LGBTQ+ identities while participating in outdoor activities and communities. Twenty-two LGBTQ+ identifying people who reside in Canada and engage in outdoor activities were interviewed about their experiences in these spaces. Participant ages ranged from nineteen to late sixties, but most participants were in their twenties. Eight participants identified as either transgender, non-binary, and/or gender queer, eight participants identified as cisgender women, five participants identified as cisgender men, and one participant shared that they were still exploring their gender identity, but they knew they were “not completely cis[gender]”. Seven respondents identified as POC (people of colour). All participants identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, demisexual/asexual/aromantic, or queer. All participants shared experiences where they felt joy in the outdoors. For some, this was because it provided an opportunity for them to step away from their work and city lives to be present in nature, and for others, this was because it gave them an opportunity to be challenged mentally and physically. Many also shared that this joy was rooted in the community and friendships that they had built in their respective outdoor activities. Initial analyses show that most participants felt an elevated sense of connection, comfort, and safety when they participated in outdoor activities alongside other LGBTQ+ people. Many participants also described feeling less comfortable around (cisgender heterosexual) men in the outdoors. Some shared that this was because of experiences where they had been undermined or disrespected because of their female identity while outdoors, some shared that this was because of competitive and negative attitudes of men they had been around outdoors, and others shared that this was because they simply enjoyed spending time with other LGBTQ+ people more. Some participants accessed the outdoors through organized groups and group-facilitated trips, while others spent their time outdoors independently with friends and/or participating in solo activities. Most participants who reported participating in organized outdoor groups described at least one of these groups as being LGBTQ+ affiliated. Initial analyses also indicated that LGBTQ+ people were less likely to disclose their sexuality or gender identity when they were participating in outdoor activities with people who do not identify as LGBTQ+. Some respondents shared that this was because they felt as though it would jeopardize the trust between them, and thus, compromise the safety of all involved parties. The findings of this study could be used as a resource to inform outdoor groups and organizations of the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in the outdoors so that they can effectively implement programs, systems, and policies that contribute to the inclusion and support of LGBTQ+ people in these spaces.

This paper will be presented at the following session: