Queer activism and the fight for our climate
Since 2005, UK LGBT+ History Month has sought to bring attention to, and educate people about, the prejudices that queer people continue to face worldwide. With the growing moral panic created by the media and politicians surrounding the lives of trans people, a decline in the acceptability of same-sex relationships, and an increase in homophobic hate crimes, the event is arguably more important than ever.
The number of people who openly identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) in the UK has never been higher and Pride marches in 2019 were the largest many had seen. Despite the rise in rampant transphobia, trans visibility and support for gender non-conforming people seems stronger than ever. It’s clear that the support for LGBT+ liberation is growing - but what could this mean for environmental activism, and should climate change be considered a queer issue?
I am both a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and someone who claims to ‘care about the environment’ (read: is absolutely terrified about the climate emergency). As a supporter of both queer and environmental rights, I had never considered that these two parts of myself were linked any further than in the general sense of being ‘politically active’ or ‘a good citizen’. I certainly hadn’t thought about what these ideas shared or how they could work together to help create a better world.
Mardi Gla Pride March 2019
On average, queer people are far more likely to join climate causes than straight people. That’s according to Professor Eric Swank of Arizona State University, whose study revealed self identifying LGB people joined environmental movements at more than twice the rate of heterosexual people. He thinks this could be down to the use of LGB-specific community groups and online networks, which are essential for many queer people to connect with others with a shared experience. These close-knit groups give queer people a space to discuss ideas, make friends and, because they have roots in an anti-heteronormative struggle, they can reinforce the need for political engagement.
This is an important consideration for climate activists. Providing a space for discussion and sharing ideas between peers may be critical in increasing engagement in climate change action. We already know that social media is great for this - look at the School Climate Strikes. But having dedicated climate groups like our 2050 Young Leaders’ Network may further encourage young activists to engage with each other and feel less alone in the fight. Like with queer spaces, increasing access to community and peer networks specific to organising climate action may be essential in the fight against the climate emergency.
In reality I think I struggled to see the connection for a long time, but after considering it, what stands out to me is the idea of community in the face of a common goal. The LGBT+ community is fighting to gain equal rights, to be seen in an equal light and for a just and fair society. In the same way, there is a community of environmentalists, activists and specialists fighting to combat climate change, much of which involves moving towards a just and fair society. Being part of either community allows the individual to learn unique skills that can be transferred, meaning no matter what community you come from, you can apply those skills to another.
Ava Gornell, Operational Volunteer at 2050 Climate Group
There is one cause that is shared by environmentalists and LGBT+ activists alike: the fight against oppression. For queer activists, this is freedom of queer people from oppression by legal and social prejudices; for climate activists, freedom of everybody from ever-increasing oppression by the causes and effects of the climate emergency. Although climate change affects everyone, marginalised groups will fare worse than most. As global temperatures rise, extreme weather events, food shortages, and increased risk from both disease and conflict will have a disproportionate effect on those already at a disadvantage. LGBT+ people are one such group: in the UK, almost 20% of LGBT+ people have experienced homelessness at least once in their lives; 14% of LGBT+ people have avoided seeking medical treatment for fear of discrimination, despite having poorer physical and mental health than their heterosexual peers; poverty rates among gender non-conforming people are, by some estimations, twice as high as the general population. Without action, climate change will only worsen this situation.
Queerness and the environment can be linked in a more material way, too. As Pride events become more mainstream and queerness more normalised, it is no surprise that visible allyship has become a profitable endeavour for businesses. The corporatisation of queerness is a double edged sword - awareness and support of LGBT+ causes can improve the normalisation of queer identities in society and for the workers of those corporations, but insincere ‘rainbow-washing’ is everywhere. Come Pride month in June, corporations rush to decorate offices, stores and stock with rainbows and pride-friendly slogans. Commercialised Pride marches feature corporations seeking to bring attention to their progressive and LGBT+ supportive business.
Don’t get me wrong - I have no problem with Barbara from the office getting a branded rainbow lanyard. The cynic in me, however, finds it difficult to ignore that many of these businesses have practices that exploit LGBT+ people globally, produce their merchandise in countries where it is still illegal to be gay, and don’t translate this exterior support to a guarantee of real diversity in the workplace. These same issues are a problem for the climate too. Most retailers looking to profit from queerness use unsustainable manufacturing models, promoting climate-damaging fast fashion and unnecessary non-recyclable products. Many of these corporations promote unethical and unsustainable investments (see Divest Pride Campaign), leading to deforestation, fossil fuel investment, and polluting waste entering our skies and seas. Our history of capitalism and colonialism casts a dark shadow over the perceived social progression in our country, and it is a fight that environmental and LGBT+ campaigners should make together.
Because climate change will affect everyone, it may not seem helpful to some to divide the climate fight into smaller struggles, but without recognising the specific impacts climate change will have on different communities, we cannot hope to provide a solution that works for everyone. I don’t think it’s unfair to say the climate movement is overwhelmingly white and middle class, and I say that as someone who fits that mould. The modern LGBT+ rights movement was started by black trans women at the Stonewall riots, yet today they still face some of the highest levels of prejudice in society. The climate movement will do a disservice to minorities if it doesn’t centre their voices and experience in its activism. The ability to take climate action is a privilege. By centring minority groups in the climate movement, we improve everyone’s lives and ensure that no one is left behind.
It is only by learning from the history of both movements that we can hope to move forwards together. I hope that one day climate activism will be an inseparable part of LGBT+ history, and we can create a truly intersectional climate movement that lifts the lives of marginalised people, creating a future for the planet that works for all.
by Dan Yaxley, 2050 Climate Group Policy Subgroup (@danyaxley)