Photo: Pinar Ates Sinopoulous-Lloyd
Celebrating Pride Month
Birding and being in nature are opportunities for everyone. Whether it’s for healing, respite, or peace, a walk in the outdoors can be especially meaningful to people who face discrimination, experience violence at higher rates, or are rejected by their families for being themselves.
National Audubon explains why many LGBTQ people find comfort in nature, “…a raccoon doesn’t care who you’re attracted to, a garter snake isn’t going to question your gender, and a bird of paradise isn't going to raise an eyebrow to how you’re dressed.” The article also acknowledges that more work needs to be done to make everyone feel welcome in nature. It explains, “…people who are historically accustomed to being excluded (or worse) must hear and know, explicitly, that we are welcoming, that we want to learn from them, and that they will be safe with us,” said Deeohn Ferris, vice president for equity, diversity and inclusion at Audubon, in an email to Audubon staff last week. “It’s important to act on our intentions and to speak them out loud.”
Audubon Society of Northern Virginia stands for equality. Everyone is welcome at our events, regardless of who you love or how you identify. Let’s go birding together!