The emerging queer and intersectional environmental movement | Webinar

On October 20, 2022, the LGBTQ Caucus at The Wilderness Society hosted The Emerging Queer & Intersectional Environmental Movement webinar in celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month, with TWS’s Equity Associate, Campbell Simmons, moderating the conversation.

We explored what it means to exist as an LGBTQ+ person in the outdoors, how LGBTQ people are influencing and building the future of the environmental movement, and how the struggles for LGBTQ rights and environmentalism are deeply enmeshed.

Panelists:

Yessenia Funes (She/Her/Ella): Yessenia Funes is a queer environmental journalist currently serving as climate director for Atmos, an independent climate and culture magazine. She's been covering climate and environmental justice for some eight years now, including the impact on queer communities.

Somah Haaland (They/Them): Somah Toya Haaland is a multi-disciplinary artist from the Pueblos of Laguna and Jemez. They are a media organizer with Pueblo Action Alliance, a grassroots organization that addresses social and environmental impacts in Indigenous communities.

Owin Pierson (He/Him): Owin Pierson he/him is a Queer Asian-American Content Creator. Receiving his BA in Psychology from George Mason University, Owin focuses his work on mental health, LGBTQIA+, and AAPI advocacy. He is a full-time lifestyle and travel influencer who is currently nomadic but usually can be found in LA or NYC.