The fight against climate change can often seem like something taking place in the grand halls of government or in the conference suites of big business, where decisions on preserving the environment and everything that lives within it are weighted alongside profit, politics, and other narrow-minded considerations.

But as Leah Thomas notes in her book The Intersectional Environmentalist, the planet cannot be saved without uplifting the grassroots voices of those who are not being heard. The next generation of activists hoping to make meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable change comes from the communities around us.

LGBTQ+ folks of color have been at the forefront of various social movements in recent history, like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo, and it’s no different in the fight against climate change. This Pride Month, Reckon is happy to report that those voices are more vital than ever.

Here are ten environmental activists from the LGBTQ community striving to make the world a healthier and kinder place to live all year round.

Isaias Hernandez

The California-based eco-influencer uses his social media platforms to discuss veganism, environmental justice, zero-waste living, and the intersectionality of social and ecological issues, and he even once interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris. He is the creator of the QueerBrownVegan Instagram account and often advocates for inclusivity, diversity, and the empowerment of marginalized voices.

Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd

Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd co-founded Queer Nature, an organization that fosters resilience and kinship between LGBTQ+ individuals and the natural world.

They are often seen on social media promoting access to the outdoors for underrepresented communities, mainly focusing on the intersection of race, ethnicity, and outdoor recreation.

This includes workshops, nature-based mentoring, and events prioritizing healing, connection, and learning from the land.

Cieara West and Claire Greiller

Environmental Queers, founded by the dynamic duo Cieara West and Claire Greiller, is a non-profit organization uniting environmentally conscious queer people in Los Angeles. Together, they organize many eco-friendly events for their community, including beach cleanups, hikes, and tree plantings.

Cieara utilizes her passion for writing and the environment by publishing insightful blogs that debunk myths, offer practical tips, and educate those seeking to contribute to the movement. Meanwhile, Claire, a talented musician, and educator, aims to foster a connection between her interests and the queer community. Stay connected with their endeavors by following @environmentalqueers, and if you happen to be in the area, join them on a rejuvenating hike!

Dean Jackson

Jackson is a Black, queer, trans farmer who co-founded Hilltop Urban Gardens (HUG) based in Tacoma, Wash,. The farm works with surrounding communities to help grow fresh produce and encourage residents to fight against food injustice through equity and agriculture.

Cecilia Pineda

Pineda’s work focuses on environmental justice, education, and migrant rights. They are currently an organizer for the New York-based Audre Lorde Project, a community organizing center led for and by queer, trans, gender non-conforming, and two-spirit people of color. Pineda, an environmental studies graduate from Brown University, also started RADIKO, an organization that educates and encourages marginalized communities to fight against climate change and organize around other environmental issues.

Jeaninne Kayembe

Kayembe, a Black queer artist, is the co-executive director and co-founder of LifeDoGrow Urban Farm in North Philadelphia. The urban farm is also a green space that educates youth on sustainability, environmental justice, and equality. It’s also a marketplace, art venue, and co-working space for local artists and organizers.

Paul Getsos

Getsos is an LGBTQ+ activist and climate advocate based in New York. He has spent decades empowering marginalized communities and encouraging their active participation in combating climate change. As the national coordinator for the People’s Climate Movement, Paul is pivotal in orchestrating nationwide initiatives to address the urgent climate crisis. He co-founded Community Voices Heard, an organization that runs diverse programs, enhancing education and training opportunities for welfare recipients and facilitating their successful entry into the job market. Through his efforts, Getsos has become a catalyst for positive change, fostering inclusivity and resilience in society.

Pattie Gonia

Pattie Gonia, also known as Wyn Wiley, is a drag queen, environmentalist, and community organizer. Wiley created the character of Pattie Gonia to challenge gender norms and stereotypes while promoting a message of love, acceptance, and respect for nature. They also co-founded The Oath, an outdoor group that helps people think about how they can better relate to the environment.

Aletta Brady

Aletta Brady, a queer and non-binary activist, is the visionary behind Our Climate Voices, a renowned social justice collective that humanizes the climate crisis through powerful storytelling. The collective, comprising young women, queer individuals, BIPOC, and disabled people, has garnered recognition, including the prestigious 2019 J.M.K Innovation Prize, celebrating their groundbreaking solutions to social and environmental challenges.

Aletta passionately advocates for treating climate justice as an integral part of social justice, highlighting the disproportionate impact marginalized communities face from issues like air pollution and inadequate access to clean water. Aletta strives to create a positive change through their dedication to climate justice and impactful storytelling.

Johanna Toruño

Toruño is a queer social media influencer and activist known for her work in the feminist and LGBTQ+ communities. The El Salvadoran-born New Yorker founded The Unapologetically Brown Series, an ongoing art project to uplift and empower marginalized voices. Her work touches on issues around abortion, race, environmentalism, trans rights, and social justice.

“I am not a voice for anyone – I don’t need to be,” she notes on her website. “None of us are voiceless – I believe we all hold our own set of truths, privileges, and gifts – how we use them to collectively bring us closer to not only reimagining a new possibility outside of white cis-hetero patriarchy but living in that new possibility. We all have something to add to that fight.”