“These hikes can bring up tears for some of our hikers because being with community and feeling seen is something we all are looking for in this life.”

Coby Pfafff got his first crush on another boy at summer camp when he was a kid. Today he’s come full circle and plays a key role at a summer camp created specifically for LGBTQ+ kids like the one he used to be.

“I went out looking to re-experience a connection to nature that I used to experience before puberty - to find that young kid and unfettered joy at where I could go, what I could do, and what it was to be one small piece of this planet.”

“All in all, if I could just say to these designers, finish strong! You were so close! You almost made a really good women’s performance pant! So why give up on these bits that are so easy? Give us regular pockets and keep your dumb buttons!”

“I don’t know if it was cherishing the outdoors that much more since my access was being restricted, or if it was the sheer amount of time I spent walking past the same trees and plants, but I really started to notice my surroundings in a way I never had before.”

I wrote an article for the Green Mountain Club about How to Start Hiking as an LGBTQ+ Person. This piece includes tips for queer folks who are new to hiking or who need an extra boost of comfort before hitting the trail.