When we seek out to bird with others, it is to share in the joy of birds. Whether intended or not, along the way we build a sense of community. In order to appreciate that joy to its fullest, we shouldn’t have to worry about who we are or be second guessing our most basic actions around others in that community. And it’s that concept, that birding is an extension of our true selves, that prompted the creation of Queer Birders of North America. A fellowship group for LGBT+ birders and allies, QBNA now host all sorts of events for all sorts of birders based on a shared interest in birds and a dedication to inclusivity. QBNA leaders Jennifer Rycenga and Michael Retter join host Nate Swick to talk about why QBNA came about and why it’s still essential.
Also, Nate rants a bit about the USFWS’s proposed changes to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and encourages you to leave a response to the rule change here.
The American Birding Podcast brings together staff and friends of the American Birding Association as we talk about birds, birding, travel and conservation in North America and beyond.
Join host Nate Swick every other Thursday for news and happenings, recent rarities, guests from around the birding world, and features of interest to every birder.
I’ve been birding almost daily now for some 11+ years and have never once in all that time had occasion to discuss/guess at/care about any other birder’s sexual preference. I know a lot of birders and have never heard any of them bring up the topic of inclusivity or exclusivity. I’ve always assumed that the birding community casts a pretty wide net when it comes to people’s particular interests/proclivities/etc. outside of their birding interests. Birding, to me, has always seemed to be pretty intrinsically inclusive. I guess what I’m getting at is that it seems to me that the creation… Read more »
Did you listen to the interview?
Being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or pansexual is not a sexual preference. It is not a choice. It’s a sexual orientation. Just as you cannot pick your skin or eye color, you cannot pick your sexual orientation.
I started birding way back around the turn of the century, 2000 AD. It was plain to see that birders came from all walks of life and I don’t remember ever meeting even one person who wasn’t as nice as can be, not one person I couldn’t call a friend. Here, I see for the first time, elements politics, race and hot button issues creeping into the picture. I declare most assuredly, that to start using the birding media as a forum for debate on topics other than birding will bring about polarization not unity. It will harm a good… Read more »
Did you listen to the interview? We explicitly talk about this.