By Kevin Majoros
Every year, the world’s LGBTQ communities and their allies come together to celebrate their freedoms. Pride celebrations are rooted in the history of minority groups who have struggled for decades to overcome prejudice and gain acceptance.
During the month of June, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries in partnership with Pride Outside is celebrating Ocean Month and LGBTQ Pride Month through their #PrideInTheOcean campaign.
Their goal is to raise the visibility of LGBTQ ocean scientists, athletes, appreciators, and more.
Our Ocean is for Everyone
The National Marine Sanctuary System offers this campaign as part of its continuing Heritage Months project. They celebrate the seven officially recognized Heritage Months with targeted outreach appropriate to each month and offer extensive diversity resources on their Heritage of the Blue site.
To participate in the #PrideInTheOcean campaign, take a photo of yourself in, on, or by the ocean.
Email it to earthisblue@noaa.gov with your name, pronouns, and a caption explaining why you take pride in the ocean.
Photos and captions will be shared on the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and Pride Outside social media and websites.
Share your photo on social media during June and caption with the hashtag #PrideInTheOcean.
LGBTQ Adventurers Take Pride in our Blue Planet
An adventurer from Pride Outside shares their Pride in the post below.
(she/her) Through my work with Pride Outside, it has been wonderful coming together for hikes, outdoor skills classes, LGBTQ history walking tours, and the LGBTQ Outdoor Summit. I have gotten to know LGBTQ rangers around the world, LGBTQ conservation and outdoor industry professionals, and LGBTQ outdoorists. It has been so meaningful to build friendships and learn about people’s experiences and connections to the outdoors. #PrideInTheOcean is about boosting LGBTQ representation and inclusion in the outdoors. Everyone belongs in the outdoors and it can be so affirming to see people like you in the outdoors, we are hoping to spread that message far and wide.
More information and examples can be found here.
Follow NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries on Instagram.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media