GAY TIMES has partnered with British outdoors brand Berghaus to amplify diverse representation in the outdoor and adventure activities.
One way in which they’re hoping to get more LGBTQ+ people into the great outdoors is by sharing the stories and experiences currently untold. In this instance, GAY TIMES and Berghaus connected queer Scottish adventure and mountain sports photographer Hamish Frost with queer outdoors, climbing and social group Queer Climbers London.
Queer Climbers London is a space for diverse LGBTQ+ individuals to explore the great outdoors, improve their climbing skills and socialise in a safe and welcoming environment. Physical activities like this transcend social and cultural boundaries and have a massive capacity to reinforce positive change. Together, Queer Climbers London are doing just that.
They’re a collective who are using togetherness as a vehicle to drive the powerful message of inclusivity in the outdoor and adventure space. Through this partnership we’ve seen how they are able to both share the journey in a physical sense during the walk, as well as share their life journeys with Hamish and each other.
By sharing their personal insights on community, identity and representation, Queer Climbers London hope to build out this space for everyone, spreading their message throughout the LGBTQ+ community and into the wider outdoor and adventure community as a whole.
In order to explore the group’s individual relationship with the outdoors and Queer Climbers London, we asked the group some questions below.
Sophie Milligan (They/Them)
In a sport/activity that can sometimes be isolating, why is it important to share lived experiences with other individuals?
I learnt to boulder by myself and I remember being so jealous of other crews I would see climbing at the wall together. Now we have Queer Climbers London, my sessions are so much more fun and fulfilling. Climbing is no longer just a sport, it’s where I’ve made friends for life, and it’s so much more special sharing a brew with someone else at the crag as the sun rises. It’s important to pass on what you’ve learnt to new members of the community, new people to the sport, and new generations of climbers. I’ve been taught new skills which have broadened my horizons and opened my life up to opportunities I could only dream of!
How have you found a sense of collective community in Queer Climbers London?
Running Queer Climbers London is an immense privilege, and it means that I’ve seen our community grow from just a handful of boulderers in south London, to a fully-fledged climbing community going on outdoor climbing trips across the country. Queer Climbers is a space for me to be myself, without question. I don’t have to remind people of my pronouns, or explain to them what they mean. I don’t feel different, I don’t feel like I stand out, I feel at home and at peace. I feel empowered by my LGBTQIA+ friends and family at Queer Climbers. Our community is not just limited to climbing, we fundraise together, we go to protests together, we have movie nights together, we have in essence found new members of our chosen family. Being LGBTQIA+ means some of us have lost our biological families along the way, so being a part of Queer Climbers has helped us to rebuild.
How would you like to reinforce change and drive the message of inclusivity in climbing and outdoor activities?
Growing up in the countryside I never saw people like Queer Climbers London going on hikes or climbing outdoors. We cannot become what we can’t see, so improving visibility for LGBTQIA+ folk in the outdoors, particularly BIPOC and gender minority folk, is so important. Queer Climbers believe in the importance of making nature and the outdoors a better, more accessible, place. In the face of our devastating climate emergency the more people who are custodians of the outdoors, the better. The message I would like to put out there is that you are welcome here, you are wanted here, you have a place here – no matter how you identify or who you love.
Lip Wieckowski (They/Them)
In a sport/activity that can sometimes be isolating, why is it important to share lived experiences with other individuals?
Climbing with Queer Climbers London means being with other queer people. It frees you up to talk about the things that matter most to you in that moment, without having to explain or contextualise all the background noise. Growing up queer impacts so many things in our lives and Queer Climbers just get that. It means we can share new experiences, learn new things and become badass climbers.
How have you found a sense of collective community in Queer Climbers London?
Being a group of queers in a climbing gym, sometimes even being the majority in a gym, creates an environment where we feel free to present any way we choose, for trans climbers to climb without their shirts, for our presentation to feel like skin rather than armour and it feels so powerful. That power often is carried with us when we leave the gym. As a climber it’s been huge for my progression to learn from and improve with, sometimes be competitive with other queer climbers – I feel myself shrinking and quieting when I climb with other groups of people, even friends.
How would you like to reinforce change and drive the message of inclusivity in climbing and outdoor activities?
We all know how limiting sports can be for anyone identifying outside the gender binary. To affect meaningful change I want Queer Climbers London to move forward into advocacy, supporting London gyms to become more inclusive and welcoming, from the climbing up, not just through occasional performative Pride events. I want proudly, loudly, visibly queer and trans people being front and centre in professional sports arenas and in brand campaigns to be the norm, not the dream. The louder we are, the more powerful we are.
PuiSum (She/He/They)
In a sport/activity that can sometimes be isolating, why is it important to share lived experiences with other individuals?
We are born alone but we have never lived alone. It is part of human needs to be seen and heard. Me showing up as I am helps me to relearn the sense of belonging as I have felt so welcomed by the climbing community. It has been a home for me since I’ve moved to London and if I can help others to be themselves then it is a plus.
How have you found a sense of collective community in Queer Climbers London?
The people! Everyone and the host/reps are just so friendly. Nobody questions my identity and I don’t need to ‘prove’ who I am. Outdoor trips are often the highlights for me, because it’s full of fun, laughter and supportive energy. It is a really nice way to get to know my friends better.
How would you like to reinforce change and drive the message of inclusivity in climbing and outdoor activities?
I think accessibility is a big challenge for getting people outdoors. Most marginalised people, like the LGBTQIA+ community, are less likely to have the financial resources to get outdoor gear and afford transport. Climbing in general. I think there could be more thought on expanding beyond the gender binary especially in competition. The sporting industry needs some catching up on the gender inclusive conversation. Therefore I have been participating in these comp as a gender non conforming climber to show that we exist.
Sabrina Johnson (She/They)
In a sport/activity that can sometimes be isolating, why is it important to share lived experiences with other individuals?
Climbing, whether bouldering or rope climbing, requires all sorts of mental and physical skills. You can quickly find yourself out of your comfort zone, doing something scary and having to trust your body in ways you previously might not have had to. I think it’s important to be honest and open about these moments, celebrate the joys of getting a hard route or move and be honest when you’re finding it tough going. This in turn can lead to important conversations with other climbers, especially queer climbers. So often I’ve found myself chatting away to other Queer Climbers about something completely unrelated to climbing but which we both have a shared experience of. This might be sharing a problem, a joke, or just chatting about our week. This is incredible important in a society in which it can be really tough to be queer person.
How have you found a sense of collective community in Queer Climbers London?
When I moved to London in 2021 I knew very few people and came from a small city where I had no sense of being part of a queer community. Since joining Queer Climbers London I’ve made incredible friends and feel so lucky to have found such a special, friendly group of people. I remember attending my first Queer Climbers meeting with a slight sense of trepidation but left feeling so welcomed. Since then I’ve been to lots of Queer Climbers meet-ups, socials, outdoor trips and have always come away feeling recharged and having had a great time. I’ve met some wonderful people, some of whom have become really close friends. I have so much love for Queer Climbers and the space it offers everyone just to be themselves and climb in a safe, welcoming space. Something which is so important in a society in which it can be really tough to be queer person.
How would you like to reinforce change and drive the message of inclusivity in climbing and outdoor activities?
I have so much enthusiasm for Queer Climbers and the space it offers people to climb and socialise in a sober space, something which can sometimes be hard within the LGBTQ+ community. Whenever I attend a Queer Climbers meet-up I feel an instant sense of relief knowing I am in a safe space among queer climbers. Climbing gyms, outdoor climbing spots and the outdoors can be intimidating spaces that can feel unwelcoming to certain groups. I think any group like Queer Climbers which provides a safe space for people to try new sports, while truly being themselves is incredibly important.
Josh (They/Them)
In a sport/activity that can sometimes be isolating, why is it important to share lived experiences with other individuals?
I think being able to share your experiences in climbing with others is so important. It allows us to grow as a community as well as individuals, by overcoming challenges not only by ourselves but with others beside us, we learn how to trust. We are all fighting our own battle when climbing, trying whatever we can to overcome what’s in front. Though no one but yourself can get you to the top, having people around who support and trust in you makes it all the more worth it, even if you fall once or twice on the way. I think that’s something really pure we can all translate to our lives outside of climbing.
How have you found a sense of collective community in Queer Climbers London?
I think Queer Climbers London has given people a space to be themselves, it’s allowed people to drop their guard and experience things with others which may have not been as accessible by themselves. It’s given people courage to explore the unknown and create friendships.
How would you like to reinforce change and drive the message of inclusivity in climbing and outdoor activities?
I think the best way to reinforce change and drive inclusivity in climbing is to remove the boundaries/barriers which can make it hard for someone to take part. Making climbing a sport which welcomes change to allow growth, educating its community on being accepting and loving of all people.
Diletta (She/Her)
In a sport/activity that can sometimes be isolating, why is it important to share lived experiences with other individuals?
What I love about climbing is that it has two souls: the individual challenge when you are on the wall and the social aspect of friends offering lots of tips on where to place your foot and they push you to reach the summit. When Queer Climbers London started organising the first weekend outdoors, I was very happy to join the group and I felt natural sharing my previous outdoor climbing experience with others and trying to transfer what I knew to make outdoor climbing accessible.
How have you found a sense of collective community in Queer Climbers London?
Queer Climbers is the first climbing community I joined since I moved to London at the beginning of the year. I found Queer Climbers on Instagram and by looking at their page you get a sense of welcome no matter where you are from or how broken your English is. I feel myself and there is no better feeling, especially coming from Italy where I was not able to express myself.
How would you like to reinforce change and drive the message of inclusivity in climbing and outdoor activities?
Take part in Diversity & LGBTQIA+ events and share my experience with others and on my personal Instagram.
Ben Bassey-Billinge (He/Him)
In a sport/activity that can sometimes be isolating, why is it important to share lived experiences with other individuals?
Many areas of life can be isolating and often people use sport as an escape from that, however for LGBTQ+ people many sports can feel like unwelcome places. Being able to find a community of likeminded individuals with similar experiences is key to breaking that barrier for many people and letting them explore activities where they can disconnect from the stresses and pressures of day-to-day life and just be their whole selves in a positive and fun way.
How have you found a sense of collective community in Queer Climbers London?
Everyone has been so welcoming and the joy of getting to know people and share experiences, not only while climbing but through various social activities, has formed a strong feeling of community for me!
How would you like to reinforce change and drive the message of inclusivity in climbing and outdoor activities?
Climbing and the outdoors are for everyone by their very nature. They are both fantastic spaces where anyone can let go of stress through the focus thay comes from trying hard or the wonder of the natural world. Increasing representation of minority groups in both spaces is essential to encouraging others to join groups like Queer Climbers London, spend time exploring and trying the space out and reaping the benefits of getting to be your true self without worry of prejudice.
For more information on Queer Climbers London, visit their Instagram here.
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