ClimbingQTs is possible due to the extraordinary commitment of volunteers across so-called Australia. Our board members, project leads and event champions work hard to deliver on our vision of fun, welcoming and genuinely inclusive spaces within the climbing community.
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Michael fell in love with bouldering through ClimbingQTs, and can often be found championing QTs events loudly and proudly on Gadigal and Wangal land (Sydney). He’s also involved in building LGBTQIA+ community through his union, and softball and social soccer teams (but he’s still wouldn’t call himself ‘sporty’).
Contact: president@climbingqts.com
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Ipek (pronounced ee-pek) is a queer web designer and developer, rock climber, and LGBTQ+ and disability advocate. They’ve been volunteering for the ClimbingQTs since 2019 and serving on the board since 2020.
Contact: secretary@climbingqts.com
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Tom has been indoor bouldering since 2019 and has enjoyed being part of the ClimbingQTs community since 2022. He has 5+ years of experience in accounting and civil law compliance. Tom is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ participation in sports and community and hopes to continue ClimbingQTs’ growth.
Contact: treasurer@climbingqts.com
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Aidan's mum will tell you that he climbed before he could walk, and his heart always belonged to the wild. Originally from the UK and now based in Meeanjin, Aidan has been sharing their love of the mountains and acting as a mentor and advocate for equity and inclusion in adventure sports for as long as he can remember. He works in climate risk and resilience, and when not climbing can be found trail running, cycling, or writing.
Online community lead
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Billie is a super social agender climber who got involved with ClimbingQTs in 2022. Originally from Ngunnawal country and currently residing in Naarm, Billie has a Bachelor Degree in Animation and loves creating art, animation and music in its own time.
Youth engagement lead
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Daniel is a massive adrenaline junkie, so you'd definitely find him doing crazy stuff on the walls. Climbing on Gadigal land (NSW), Daniel strives to encourage the queer youth of Australia to enjoy the enrichment of rock climbing and embrace their queer identity.
Outdoor events lead
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be gay do climbs
Inclusion project lead
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Just over 2 years ago, Em fell in love with Sig, who introduced her to climbing. Since then, climbing has become another love of hers. Em is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+, disability and neurospicy communities, advocating where and whenever she can. She has over 3 years experience producing events and programs for different communities.
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Em resides in Whadjuk-Noongar land, where she studies rocks for a living. Some persistent convincing from her friends got her climbing rocks for fun as well! She is an avid coffee drinker, muso and will always bring weird snacks to your party.
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Hollis loves fostering queer community in Kaurna Land, exploring the surround bush land and falling off the rocks that can be found within.
Youth engagement lead
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Kim is the resident cheerleader, dog-scratcher, media, marketing & community manager at BlocHaus. In their short time in climbing, they’ve been overwhelmed by the support of the climbing community both on & off the wall — Kim is passionate about making space at the gym and crag for POC & LGBTQ+ folks to delight in all the physical, emotional & social benefits of climbing that have impacted their own life so positively.
Grants and funding lead
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Lou is based in Naarm on Wurundjeri Country. When she's not falling off walls, Lou enjoys fostering greyhounds 🐶 and bothering local drivers on her bike. Lou is keen to identify funding and research opportunities that will make climbing more accessible and explore the benefits of grassroots queer climbing communities.
Founder & inclusion training lead
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The founder of ClimbingQTs, Melissa is a queer non-binary rock climber, outdoor enthusiast, LGBTQ+ advocate and educator. Melissa is a member of Proud2Play’s Trans Advisory Board and a member of Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Equity and Inclusion Community Consultation Group, and has 7+ years experience producing events and programs for community.
Mel sits on the committee of Climbing Victoria, the representative peak body for rock climbing in Victoria.
pronouns: she/her
Find Meredith at your local Eora QTs meetup, chatting about outdoor climbing, ocean swimming, the latest in sapphic cinema and her passion for queer community. She'll remind you to double-check your safety and take a second at the top to savour the views.
Volunteers lead
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Nick is a proud trade unionist and political campaigner currently working in the industrial advocacy space. His passion for building strong, vibrant communities drew him into the queer climbing world. Nick is always on the lookout for progressive activists from all walks of life, identifying natural leaders and giving them the tools and resources to be able to grow their own inclusive communities and thrive!
Marketing and social media lead
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Sam is a queer AuDHDer who discovered bouldering through friends and ClimbingQTs while seeking community. They quickly fell in love with both and how they made them feel safe, supported and *joyful* in themselves and their queer identity. Based in Naarm (Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country), they are a marketer volunteering their skills to share the amazing work ClimbingQTs do and to help more QTs find the community that changed their life for the better.
Memberships lead
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Sierra discovered outdoor climbing in early 2022, then promptly flipped her whole life around to maximise time on the rocks! She loves building and being in mutually supportive communities, which led her to join the QTs board. Currently residing on Awabakal & Worimi land.
HikingQTs lead
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Sig is a queer nurse with a passion for inclusive climbing. Since she began climbing just over 2 years ago, she was overwhelmed with the supportiveness of the climbing community. Wishing to contribute to the climbing community, Sig volunteered for ClimbingQT’s as a champ and is now on the board.
In-gym programs and events lead
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Sydelle loves climbing rocks and subsequently falling off rocks.
Based in Naarm.
TransQTs lead
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Tarkyn is a non-binary climber, community arts worker and rampant socialite. When not touching rocks, you can often find them perfecting the mushroom pizza or deep in the throes of a live show. They have been privileged to meet so many wonderful queer people through climbing and can't wait to grow the community further in the years to come!
Partnerships and sponsorships lead
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Zen spends more time socialising than climbing during a session, brushing holds for other climbers and offering baked goods as encouragement. He champions intersectional activism with the goal to make spaces safe and inclusive for LGBTQ+ persons and POCs. With his background in coaching, you'll often find him in the training area of the gym, trying to avoid slab climbing because he "brought the wrong shoes".
Want to get involved? Send us a message on Discord to learn more about our programs and how you can help make climbing a more inclusive space for everyone.
Check out ClimbingQTs UK Chapter