LGBTQ+ Climate Activists

Our Environmental Editor Meg introduces us to some pioneering LGBTQ+ activists, both past and present…

According to a poll conducted in 2010, The LGBT population are more likely to be environmentalists than heterosexual people. It therefore comes at no surprise that many of the inspirational activists of our time (and past!) have been LGBTQ+.

Iyer Harris 

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Born in 1979, Harris is an author, activist and Indian TV personality. He is thought to be the first openly gay  person to join a political party in India. He fights for many social justice causes, from animal rights, environmental protections, protection for victims of child abuse to LGBTQ+ rights. Learn more about him on his radio show “Gaydio”.

Rachel Carson

Next up, we have the legendary Rachel Carson. Often dubbed as one of the original founders of the modern environmental movement in the US, the marine biologist raised awareness of the damage that pesticides caused on nature around the world through her 1962 book Silent Spring. Her discovery caused international outrage at a particular chemical, called DDT, and its direct effects on bird deaths, and ultimately sparked the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate the sector.

Jamie Margolin

Another phenomenal activist is Jamie Margolin, who describes herself as a lesbian, jewish climate activist. She has organised walks out at her school after two gay teachers were forced to resign after they got engaged to their respective partners, alongside being a cofounder of the organisation “This is Zero Hour” . The organisation describes their mission as “to center the voices of diverse youth in the conversation around climate and environmental justice.” 

If you don’t follow them, I can’t recommend enough.

Phillip Brown

Last but definitely not least, we have Phillip Brown, a queer non-binary femme immigrant activist part of Our Climate Voices who is originally from Kingston, Jamaica. Over the past 3 years, they’ve been a full-time organiser in the climate justice movement and have worked on local, national, and international campaigns with a wide range of organisations. 

They develop curriculum and trainings for climate and environmental justice youth programs to hold space for POC youth to explore their leadership potential, deepen their creative practice, and empower themselves to heal.

Find them on Instagram to learn more: https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ayuBAHQdl/ 

Meg McGrath, Environmental Editor