Making outdoor field experiences more inclusive for the LGBTQ+ community

Abstract

Outdoor field experiences have not historically been welcoming to marginalized communities. Recent calls to address the lack of diversity in outdoor field experiences have accelerated efforts to make programs more inclusive for multiple marginalized identity groups. Despite these efforts, many cultural and procedural changes are still needed to support the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ+) community when participating in outdoor field experiences. Here we use results from a survey of leaders from 17 outdoor programs and expertise gained from our own experiences cultivating inclusion in field programs to outline strategies that outdoor field experience providers can use to foster greater support for the LGBTQ+ community. We define key terminology to increase awareness of LGBTQ+ identities and pronouns. We then highlight important actions that field experience leaders can take to make their internships, education programs, and trips more accessible and inclusive for the LGBTQ+ community. We use results from our survey of outdoor programs to highlight practices currently being used to support LGBTQ+ inclusion and accessibility and synthesize how current practice aligns with our overall recommendations. The LGBTQ+ community deserves to be welcomed into outdoor field experiences and to participate fully as students, researchers, educators, recreators, and professionals. © 2022 The Authors. Ecological Applications published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Ecological Society of America.

Keywords

Author Keywords

diversity and inclusion field internships field research experiences gender-inclusive LGBTQ+ inclusive outdoor education outdoor leadership outdoor recreation

Index Keywords

female human Humans Gender education leadership accessibility field method outdoor recreation terminology sexual and gender minority Sexual and Gender Minorities

Author Affiliations

Department of Fisheries, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States

Funding & Acknowledgements

Central State University, CSU

We thank Ethan Billingsley for providing feedback on an earlier draft of this manuscript and the Colorado State University Honors Program for facilitating this research. We thank Rodney Ley and Andy Nelson of the CSU Outdoor Program for additional guidance and support.

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Making outdoor field experiences more inclusive for the LGBTQ+ community

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