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OUTDOOR REPRESENTATION

Seeing those who look like you in all spaces is a critical piece of one's feeling of belonging in this world. The people who are most represented in the outdoor industry are white men and women. Don't let their hegemony of outdoor marketing fool you: there are so many people from a diversity of backgrounds protesting homogeneity and show you that women of color, indigenous individuals, children, people with disabilities, and others from marginalized communities are making their presence known and ensuring all people know there is space for them in the outdoors.

Here is an (incomplete) list of Instagram accounts to diversify your feed:

Mirna Valerio — @themirnavator

 Mirna combines being an extraordinary athlete while also being a powerful activist working to make the running community more inclusive of those who do not have the stereotypically lean/muscular bodies that we see on many athletes. She has run almost a dozen ultra-marathons and almost the same number of marathons and is sponsored by several athletic companies.  

Karen Ramos — @naturechola 

 Karen is the founder of @getout.stayout. She is an Indigenous activist, advocating for inclusion in outdoor recreation and offering practical steps to live more sustainably.

Sam — @callmeadventurous 

 Sam is a Black woman who values representation in travel media that is dominated by many white, thin bodies. She has a passion for visiting new places around the world and enjoying all that this Earth has to offer. 

How Not to Travel Like a Basic Bitch — @hownottotravellikeabasicbitch 

 Dr. Kiona, a wonderful woman in science, educates us on how to travel more ethically, responsibly, and with more cultural intelligence. Her website and blog is an education platform that helps us to avoid the travel mistakes that have consequences on the climate and local cultures. She looks at the intersection of justice issues and how they relate to travel, educating us on the histories and issues of social justice in the places she visits. She wants travel to be more accessible and safe for people of all identities. 

Indigenous Women Hike — @indigenouswomenhike

A group dedicated to providing healing for indigenous women through their “inherent connection to the land”. They look to advocate for indigenous representation in the corporate outdoor world and to make sure indigenous voices are being listened to in climate justice conversations. 

Pattie Gonia — @pattiegonia 

 Pattie Gonia is a climate activist drag queen who advocates for increased representation of the LGBTQ+ community in outdoor media and increased accessibility to the outdoors for individuals in the community. All we're saying is we need more drag-queens in the outdoors.

Fat Girls Hiking — @fatgirlshiking 

 This activism account is dedicated to increasing the representation in outdoor rec of women who don’t fit the typical image of the “fit”, “trim”, “athletic” women that dominate outdoor recreation and marketing. 

Disabled & Outdoors — @disablednoutdoors 

An organization working to increase representation in outdoor recreation of people with disabilities and alternative abilities and to increase access for people with these disabilities. 

Let's Talk About Gatekeeping:

One barrier to outdoor recreation that is not talked about as much is the symbolic and physical gatekeeping that occurs within outdoor culture. One component of this gatekeeping stands out, especially in our PNW context: the level of fitness or physical exertion expected to be considered legitimate outdoor recreation (which is ableist and perpetuates a very limited view of what is considered outdoor recreation).

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Those who aren’t hiking for a million miles are not “true” hikers, those who use cheap gear are not legitimate, those who prefer to sit and read in a hammock in their backyard are not considered to actually be “outdoorsy”—outdoor culture is a very exclusive club. However, the people leading the charge to make the outdoors more inclusive, as with most inequality, are those who have been excluded. See the instagram list above to learn about organizations and individuals that are making sure everyone feels welcome in the outdoors.

Reflect upon your own experience of inclusion and exclusion... Ask yourself the following questions:​​

  • What/who do I think of when I hear the word "outdoorsy"? Is it week long, excruciating backpacking trips? Is it taking a walk in your neighborhood or reading a book in a hammock in your backyard? Who is participating in these activities?

  • What kind of language do I use when talking about my experiences?

  • Have I ever felt unwelcome in outdoor spaces? If so, when? Who was perpetrating your exclusion? Did you feel you had the power to do something about it?

  • Have I seen or heard the story of anyone else who felt excluded? Who is included and, more importantly, who is being left out?

  • Are there any ways my social identities benefit me in outdoor recreation? Where do I see myself represented and where am I left out?

  • Who, in excluded groups, is doing the work to promote and practice inclusion in the outdoors? How can I participate in the work they are already doing?

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Steps individuals can take to be more inclusive:

We will continue to add to this page as we are able! If you have any suggestions or would like to see a specific topic covered, please email us at ASSP-ORC@spu.edu

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