An important part of our Pride celebration here on the Environmentor is leveraging our platform to support the equality, visibility, and self-affirmation of people in the LGBTQ2SAI+ community. Our uniqueness as individuals is powerful, and we’re here to not only celebrate it — but amplify it.
With this in mind, we’re passing things over to our community. Our team was thrilled to be able to chat with different LGBTQ2SAI+ creatives again this year and learn more about their unique perspectives and experiences. They shared beautiful reflections on the moments they most felt like themselves, revealed what their support systems look like and what their perspectives are on environmentalism. Read their inspiring stories below, and be sure to check them out on Instagram.
Meet @emmettreif
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Q: For those who don’t know you, we’d love for you to introduce yourself.
Hi! I’m Emmett, a graphic designer here at tentree. I grew up in Vancouver, and I love being in nature with my dog Milo, riding horses, and doing anything that involves creativity. I identify as bisexual, and I also started transitioning just over five years ago. I’ve learnt a lot about myself since immersing myself in queer culture and surrounding myself with other queer people. This community is so amazing and I feel so lucky to be a part of it.
Q: If you could tell someone three things about yourself, what would they be?
I think I’d say that I’m empathetic, caring, and creative. I love to be able to give back and support people whenever possible. Doing one nice thing for someone each day can mean more to a person than we know.
Q: Describe a moment when you felt the most like “you.”
Definitely when I came out as trans and began that journey. I was so ashamed of that possibility for so long. There are so many huge factors that play into coming out. If the people in your life will accept you, how you’re going to legally change your name, the time you have to take to get surgeries or get on hormones, and accepting things like potentially not being able to have kids that are genetically yours. But after those hard things, I began to feel this euphoria and sense of self that I’d never felt before. I’ve since gained so much confidence and have gained such a huge sense of purpose and excitement for my life that I was missing before.
Q: What makes you feel supported?
The people in my life. I’ve been so lucky to have such an incredible support system. From having my ex’s dad teach me to shave for the first time to having my friends visit me after my surgery and my employees send me cookies. All of those things mean so much. Even though I have a support system, I often feel like you’re going through this huge thing alone. But when people ask me about my transition or acknowledge how hard I’ve worked to get to this place, it means so much to me.
Q: How do you think being a 2SLGTBQIA+ person affects the way you experience the outdoors and environmental-ism?
That’s a good question. I think any person who is a part of a minority is going to have a tougher time with accessibility than someone who isn’t. Although I pass fairly well as a cis male, I’m still at a higher risk of being targeted than a cis male. I think that Vancouver is a pretty safe place to be as a queer person, but being able to experience the outdoors with friends always makes me feel a bit safer.
Meet @stvn.wxm
Q: For those who don’t know you, we’d love for you to introduce yourself.
Hello! My name is Steven! My pronouns are He/They, and I am a 26 year old from Phoenix, AZ.
Q: If you could tell someone three things about yourself, what would they be?
I value kindness and love in all forms, I love to be creative and try all sorts of art mediums, and lastly, I think sunlight is an important part of the day; take a break/log off for a bit and make sure you get some today!
Q: Describe a moment when you felt the most like “you.”
There are many moments throughout my life where I felt most like myself. As someone who believes in growth as an essential and normal part of adulthood, I think each day I learn or feel more like myself. However, I think when I let go of organized religion (Christianity), and the need to please everyone was when I felt most like myself and grew into the person I am today. This shift happened after graduating high school when I became more independent with my decisions and with my life.
Q: What makes you feel supported?
I can go on about all the things that make me feel supported, but I’ll start by saying: me I think it’s important when your mind and heart are on the same page. Of course, there’s also my wonderful Fiancé. He always makes me feel supported and protected. Lastly, my family and friends, which includes some of my chosen family.
Q: How do you think being a 2SLGTBQIA+ person affects the way you experience the outdoors and environmental-ism?
As I mentioned before, I value sunlight so much. It’s a magical form that glows and feels warm. I realized how important it was to get sunlight and fresh air during the start of the pandemic in 2020 when I (along with the rest of the world) was stuck inside. I moved to a new home with my partner and went for walks once or twice a day. It was the best way to log off of technology and enjoy my own time while the world around me was just in pure chaos. I truly believe that as individuals, queer or not, we should take time to log off of society and be in nature, with a walk, a hike, or even a picnic. ( I LOVE PICNICS IN THE PARK!!) Nature can heal. With that said, remember that while we can heal from the gift of nature, it’s important to be kind to the earth. Do your best to find sustainable and clean ways to reduce your waste and minimize harm to our planet.
Meet @_imjstlivin
Q: For those who don’t know you, we’d love for you to introduce yourself.
Hola, saludos a todos! My name is Katherine Bahena-Benitez. I am a gay Mexican Indigenous multidisciplinary artist. I open myself to el mundo as a means of understanding how I can use my mind, body, and voice to bring forth the stories that need to be told through acting, poetry, or movement. My muse for Arte is rooted in my gay identity but also my upbringing and cultural identity as a child of Immigrant Indigenous peoples. For I am everything they are, once were, and will be. I am beyond thankful to the Universe for allowing me in this lifetime to dive into Arte as an outlet to storytell, make an impact and inspire the youth. I am touched by the truths of society and how Arte can create conversations of change, justice, and reimagined future. Whenever I am not performing, writing, or moving, I am with community, chosen family, and loved ones as I know being surrounded by mi gente is what fuels me and restores me!
Q: If you could tell someone three things about yourself, what would they be?
I am Playful, Creative, and Ready!
Q: Describe a moment when you felt the most like “you.”
I’ve had many moments when I felt most myself, and this instance is just one of many. I was in San Francisco, CA, Baker Beach, and the sun was beginning to set. It had been a beautiful day in San Francisco, so I decided to end my evening by the water (I love the water). When all of a sudden, I had the spontaneous idea to jump into the ocean– fully clothed, no shoes. For a split moment, I hesitated, I thought, “no, I shouldn’t, I shouldn’t, or should I?” – but I DID. I set my shoes down alongside my phone and ran towards the waves. I waved to the sun and let the wind take me away. As I approached the water, I held my breath and dipped myself. I came back up laughing, shivering and amazed by the world. Every inch of me was awake at that moment. I thought, “I did it.”
There I was, in the ocean, with the moon and distant stars. There I was, this human, soul and body, alive, very much alive. But I wasn’t alone. I had the clouds with me. I had my ancestors with me. I had my gay elders with me. I had my inner child with me. Yes, my inner child. All witnesses to my joy.
I felt most myself at that moment because it reminded me of how free I was when I came out. So freeee. I cherish those moments deeply.
Q: What makes you feel supported?
The ways in which my family, community, and chosen family show up for me is what makes me feel most supported. The way they love me, care for me, and check in on me is what reminds me I am protected. And we all need that, you know? We are all deserving of that, especially our 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Because there is no better feeling than knowing you have an elder, friend or chosen family member who understands your sexuality, self-expression and identity. It’s so liberating. So if you are in need of community, I am here for you! I will love you!
Q: How do you think being a 2SLGTBQIA+ person affects the way you experience the outdoors and environmental-ism?
Nature lets us know we’ve always been gay. For there are animals in same-sex relationships or lifelong partnerships. Nature is welcoming and not judgemental of our sexuality or gender expression, which is why I feel loved by Madre Tierra. I am cradled by our dirt, trees, sand, and water. Although nature is inviting, that does not mean there is always safety. Being openly gay or simply yourself may invite homophobia from people. I feel in that sense, being gay has affected my experience in the outdoors and how I navigate the world. I worry for my safety alongside the safety of my beloved community at times. And I wish for the day we won’t have to worry about that and have the opportunity to express ourselves freely anywhere we go. Our love should be allowed to live in all parts of Vida, even in the outdoors, when we have our picnics, ceremonies, gatherings, hikes, etc. Our society has room for growth and I trust we will make progress. Until then, we have each other to explore with joy, dance and music together- we have each other.
Meet @awkdrea
Q: For those who don’t know you, we’d love for you to introduce yourself.
My name is Andrea Fernández, and I am a first-generation Chicana from Houston, TX. My pronouns are she/her, and I spend my time online advocating for racial justice, practical slow fashion and sustainability, breaking generational trauma, and generally amplifying important causes.
Q: If you could tell someone three things about yourself, what would they be?
I would say that I am passionate about making connections through food and beverages, I have multidisciplinary interests, and I am always trying to learn new things.
Q: Describe a moment when you felt the most like “you.”
For the first 5 years of my relationship with my partner (he/him) I struggled with my queer identity and tried to hide it because even though I’ve always known I was pan/bisexual, I felt like because I was in a straight passing relationship I wasn’t allowed to claim that identity. I never openly talked about it with my partner either because I was a little embarrassed that I couldn’t even be honest with myself. One day in mid-2021, he jokingly made the comment that I had a crush on a mildly famous TikToker, and I immediately started blushing and without me saying anything, he said, “It’s ok, I know you’re bi.” I felt such a rush of relief that even though I had never openly come out to him (or anyone at this point), he knew me well enough to understand the unspoken truth: that I am pan/bisexual. I finally felt like my whole self. I felt truly seen and understood for the first time in my life, and I came out publicly shortly after this.
Q: What makes you feel supported?
Honestly? My Instagram community has made me feel so loved and supported since coming out, and meeting other queer people in straight-passing relationships has helped me so much in embracing my identity without guilt. I was so scared of people not understanding my situation for so long, and I am so glad I have moved past that. It’s helped my mental health and sense of self in monumental ways.
Q: How do you think being a 2SLGTBQIA+ person affects the way you experience the outdoors and environmental-ism?
I used to not see myself as being an “outdoorsy” person, but thanks to organizations like Hike Clerb I now understand the importance and the power that comes with being a queer Chicana taking up space in the outdoors and how anyone can be an environmentalist, no matter your gender, age, race, socioeconomic status, etc. etc.
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