7/18/21 Newsletter: Read Up and Take Action!

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Pinar Sinpoulos-Lloyd and Their Story as an Environmental Activist

Queer and indigenous activist Pinar Sinpoulos-Lloyd (they/them) is one of many transgender environmentalists working to reverse the effects of colonialism that continue to affect their communities. While learning about environmentalism, it is important to recognize the intersectional nature of the movement. Pinar knows this, as they are a part of multiple marginalized communities, and is working with other LGBTQ+ activists to teach a new outlook towards nature. Furthermore, Pinar describes their mentor not as humans, but as nature figures; desert creeks, grey foxes, canyon wrens, and cottonwoods. They describe their connection to nature as intense, which has heavily influenced them and is what lead them to co-found Queer Nature. Queer Nature is an educational fellowship outreach program with a fundamental skills curriculum that assists queer communities. It focuses on rejecting colonial and human exceptionalist ideas to build a better relationship with the environment. Some of Pinar's achievements include being a founding Council Member of Intersectional Environmentalist and being a trans ambassador of Native Women's Wilderness. Lloyd feels in order to begin decolonization as a whole, there must be collective decolonization of the general outlook on nature. You can follow their work at: https://www.queernature.org  -Gina H.

Phillip Brown and Their Role as a Climate Activist 

Phillip Brown (they/them) is a queer, non-binary intersectional climate activist, who works on amplifying the voices of the queer and trans community, particularly those of color (QTPOC). Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Brown has witnessed firsthand how detrimental climate change can be, from devastating hurricanes, to warming temperatures that disrupt agriculture in the region, these happenings inspired them to speak out and open the narrative up to include those who are from the QTPOC community. Brown brings a unique perspective about climate change, with respect to how it can adversely impact those of the LGBTQ+  community, specifically with those whose families are not supportive of who they are. Families who do not support their children, often turn them out and disown them, consequently making them homeless. Brown has witnessed individuals in such situations in Jamaica, often hiding out in gutters, or other low protection areas that are susceptible to hurricane and flood damage. Further advocating and bringing attention to these intersectional issues, Brown uses storytelling, writing, poetry, and spoken word to explore how the Earth, queerness, and being of color, unite to create an environment conducive to holistic global healing. In addition to attending the UN Climate Negotiations, they have also worked with national, and international organizations, including, the Better Future Project, SustainUS, the Sunrise Movement, and the Sierra Student Coalition; in addition to having work featured in Teen Vogue, NowThis, and Vice, among others. You can follow their work at SustainUS.

-Alexa c.

Petition: Protect, Respect, and Restore Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Lands

This petition aims to bring awareness about the negative impact of recreational activities (i.e. hiking, increased visitation, etc.) on and near indigenous land and peoples; particularly the Snoqualmie tribe, located in Snoqualmie, Washington. This petition, started by The Ancestral Land Movement, is working to get land acknowledgment and respect for tribal uses of land at the forefront; integrating these aspects with pre-existing recreational practices. Through the act of restoring respect and acknowledgment to indigenous land, Native Americans are on their way to having better living conditions, and land is maintained as well. -Leann Varghese