We protect what we love

FRIDAY . 11 . 06 . 21 .

🏳️‍🌈 Good afternoon and happy PRIDE month 🏳️‍🌈

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In this weeks newsletter, we're aiming to promote PRIDE month amongst our community. What a better way to start your long weekend than with blazing rainbow colours and unicorns scattered throughout your Friday newsletter! 🌈

(I personally do not think the world has enough rainbow).

To kick us off, one of our amazing volunteers Mariela (who is non-binary and uses they/she pronouns) has written this 'poem of sorts' to share with you all -

For all the ways running brings you back into your body that is too seen or not seen by this world. For all the ways that the wonder of nature renders you speechless; reminds you that you, too, are full of magic exactly as you are.

For the rhythm of your feet pounding pavement, dirt, rock, mud, river, taking you to endless new horizons. For the hope of a community that rallies with spirit and joy, focused on both the journey and the destination.

For the runners out there gay and lesbian and bisexual, trans and non-binary and non-conforming: this one is for us.

We love you. We see you. We are you.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy your brightest Friday newsletter you'll get all year.

❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 🖤

FRONTRUNNERS

An LGBTQIA+ Running Group

Frontrunners are, as the name suggests, a running group that provides support, encouragement, and a sense of community to people (and friends of people) who identify as LGBTQIA+. The group is open to all who are interested in running and related activities, such as serious running, casual running, walking, trail running, marathons, half marathons and track and field.

The club is inclusive of any gender identity and running ability, and operates in many locations around Australia. If you’re keen to join such an amazing group, we highly recommend Googling “Frontrunners” and finding a group near you, or check out the Melbourne chapter.

THE FIXED STARS

A memoir by Molly Wizenberg

I am super, super excited about this book. Although I have not read it, an amazing friend of FWP has and could not rate it highly enough.

At the age of 36, and after a lifetime of relationships with men, Molly Wizenberg discovered an intense and undeniable attraction for another woman. Instead of fighting this desire, she made space for it in her life.

Using the deceptive fixity of the stars as a metaphor, Molly’s memoir undulates between her personal journey and research insights (that span a range of cultures and time periods) into the complexity of female sexual identity. This book not only offers a glimpse into the dynamic nature of self-hood, but also celebrates the strength and resilience of one woman’s hard-won self-acceptance of their own sexual identity.

As my friend stated, “Its made me realise that sexuality is not fixed and it has really helped me understand my sexuality. I now identify as someone with fluidity in my identity, and this book has made me realise that that’s ok.” 

I (Elanor Finch) have recently purchased this book from Better Read than Dead and am so excited to read it during my mid-semester break from uni. I highly encourage any readers who want to learn more about the complexities of female sexual identity to grab a copy from their local bookstore.

MINUS18

Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth

MINUS18 are an AMAZING group of young people who are leading change, building social inclusion and advocating for an Australia where all young people, regardless of their sexual and gender identity (or any form of diversity in general) are safe, empowered and supported. The achieve this by creating fun-filled spaces where LGBTQIA+ young people belong and are celebrated, providing training, resources and digital campaigns to help transform communities to champion inclusivity and equipping young people with skills to drive change and feel empowered to make a difference.

If you want your own daily dose of rainbow goodness, then I highly recommend making a purchase from Minus18. With rainbow flags, badges, stickers, lanyards and bandannas, you're bound to find something that will compliment your outfit (I've heard that rainbow is the new black). 100% of profits support LGBTQIA+ youth around Australia. You can access their pride shop here (there are some non-rainbow items as well). However, if colour just isn't your thing, you can still make a donation or get involved with this amazing group.

PRIDE ROUND

The importance of 'PRIDE round" in AFL

Sydney University Women's AFL Team celebrating PRIDE round

Whilst there is a lot to do in the space of LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sport, the introduction of "pride round" in a number of sports, most notably in AFL, is just one step towards achieving this.

In AFL, the integration of pride round in premier leagues makes a strong stance that homophobia is not tolerated and seeks to increase education opportunities in this space.

For me, the integration of PRIDE round in community sport creates a safe space. I am a trail runner, however I was not exempt from the feelings of isolation that running such long distances (without a running community) had. So I decided to join a team sport to meet some new people and expand my network. I had two pre-requisites - a sport that "had a lot of running and a lot of lesbians". I narrowed this down to Quidditch and AFL*, and decided that (since I don't own a broom), I'd better go with AFL 🤣

For many people in my team, AFL is seen as a safe space where people are accepted as they are. This isn't just in relation to sexual identity, but extends to gender identity, cultural diversity and disability.

Pride round is a visible and supportive way to encourage everyone to celebrate their unique sexuality, at whatever stage they are on their own journey with their own identity. With increasing awareness, comes support and the design of a special pride round jersey (which I am particularly excited about).

❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 🖤

Before you dash off to embrace the long weekend, take a quick minute to check out 'Heal Country', a virtual running event by Clothing The Gaps Foundation to get people moving and connecting to Country this NAIDOC Week (July 4 - July 11). If you'd like to participate, you can join the For Wild Places team for a discounted entry fee of $30. We will bring you more information on this next week, but if you're super keen, sign up now or read more about the virtual event here.

Have a wonderful weekend folks.

🏳️‍🌈 And as always, thank you for taking the time for wild places 🏳️‍🌈

Elanor & the For Wild Places crew.

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We acknowledge the the First Nations people who have been custodians of land, waters and culture for tens of thousands of years. We pay respects to First Nations Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the lands where this newsletter was written.

Always was, always will be.

By For Wild Places

We're a group of adventurers who love to

protect wild places we run on