IDAHOBIT 2020 with Blochaus

30 years ago - on May 17, 1990 - the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems.

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) celebrates LGBTQ+ people globally, and raise awareness for the work still needed.

On 30 May 2020, BlocHaus Port Melbourne and Climbing QTs joined forces to present a virtual morning tea for IDAHOBIT to celebrate with from our #stayhome spaces with a stellar line up of local and international guests.

See the Zoom recording and your questions answered below.

Q: It’s amazing that you’re now able to reconcile being a queer person and being an athlete. Do you feel like that compartmentalisation still exists for a lot of other athletes?

Campbell: I'm very grateful for where I am in my life right now, and for the reconciliation I'm finding in my queer identity. Unfortunately, many athletes I know aren't in the same position as me to be open and proud in who they are. Whether it be their cultural background, pressure from their community, or that they're just simply not ready or comfortable to fully affirm their identity, there are still barriers preventing so many people all over the world from being their full and true selves. I think as the world becomes a more open and welcoming place for queer people, athletic spaces will inherently become more LGBTQI+ friendly. In the meantime, it's the work that groups like Climbing QT's do that's going to give people like myself a sense of community in what may otherwise be a tricky space to navigate as  a queer person.

Q: What is the internal community like for queer competition climbers, are you included?


Campbell: I have found the competition climbing community to be generally welcoming! At times when competing internationall it can be a little uncomfortable to navigate the varying levels of acceptance of LGBTQI+  people across different cultures, but I wouldn't say I've had any really negative experiences.

Q: Does anyone have thoughts on gender as it relates to competitions? Particularly as climbing enters the Olympics, a historically fraught institution, but one that affords a massive audience for raising awareness etc.

Campbell: This is a complex question I find myself thinking about often. The progress that is being made in creating space for gender diverse people in sport has me feeling optimistic for the future, however there is so much work that needs to be done. I don't know what the next step is in bridging the gap for gender diverse people between casual participation and elite level sport, but focussing on building grassroots communities and safe, inclusive spaces seems like a good place to start.

Q: Have you felt/do you feel that as a queer climber, you find yourself overcompensating or feel pressured in trying to perform wither high results because you might be somewhat 'different'? If so, how do you navigate through that?

Campbell: I wouldn't say that my drive to be the best athlete I can be has ever stemmed from my queer identity. However, I would say there is a part of me that feels the need to represent queer athletes as just as strong, determined, and skilled as cis and hetero athletes. I think this is symptomatic of a societally perpuated notion that queer people are somehow more frail, delicate, and less capable than others. I'd be lying if I said that this feeling hasn't held me back in other aspects of my work and social life, however in sport I feel like I have the agency to push back against these stereotypes. Even in queer circles we tend to downplay our ability to catch, throw, run, jump, and just generally participate in sporting culture. Whilst this is all in jest at the way that heteronormative culture has made us feel less welcome in these circles, these jokes are certainly damaging to a lot of queer people, and something we ourselves need to break free of before we can fully immerse ourselves in the very rewarding world of sport.

Q: How have you addressed any conflict between supporting LGBTIQA young people on programs and gender segregation (usually based on arguments of keeping things PG/child protection)?

Brie: Yes. This is a huge questions. Are you talking at LGTBQI youth in regular cisgender dominated camps or queer specific places?  

My thoughts; Segregation never works. You could have an all girls camp in an island in the North Sea and they will figure out a way to sneak boys in if you give them time. Kids do need rules and supervision. Especially the older ones. 

Trans kids in cis spaces want one thing. To fit in. They will handle themselves. Make sure changing and washing spaces have opportunities for jist a bit of  privacy and the rest takes care of itself. 

Inclusiveness is the epitome of child protection. Kids will act appropriate to their age no matter what.   I have a lot of resources and info on this issues so feel free to reach out with more specifics. 

Q: Have you felt/do you feel that as a queer climber, you find yourself overcompensating or feel pressured in trying to perform wither high results because you might be somewhat 'different'? If so, how do you navigate through that?

Brie: Yes!!  I’ve written about this on my IG before  

In the past I’ve always just climbed routes but recently I find myself turning to guide books for that mental security of knowing what to expect.  I also I find myself concerned with ratings rather than my own experience of challenge and joy. I want to prove myself to others. Ironically this has come about due to my transition and my desire to be visible as a transgender climber. But from now on I’m going to make a conscious decision to ignore the rating. I want to challenge all of you and myself to turn away from the rating and revel in the personal accomplishment segregated from the experience of others. We’re all so different and coming from such different places. One persons 5.12 could be another 5.1. Don’t base your sense of self on the accomplishments of others. Challenge yourself. Revel in your accomplishments!  

I suffer from imposter syndrome big time. I struggle with seeing myself as worthy. I’m terrified that I won’t be accepted or welcomed in spaces. But I go on trips anyway and I keep finding over and over that it’s all in my head. Every trip I obsess and fret. But in the end I’m right there in the circle of hugs with everyone else.

Getting pushed too far outside your comfort zone can be dangerous. This is definitely something to watch out for and if you feel others are causing you pressure to push too hard then don’t climb with them. If your pushing yourself too hard, find partners that will moderate you. 

I climb for myself. I do want to prove myself but as a mountaineer and technician and instructor. Anyone can climb hard given enough time and training. Focus on finding the beauty and flow and zen of climbing. Seek the grace inside and never ever judge yourself against another body or soul.  I often climb with no guidebook and no idea of what a climb is rated. There’s only two categories of climbs that matter.  . Is it fun?  If no stop and do something fun. If yes, is it getting you someplace you want to go?  Yes- go for it!! No -  go do something else. 

Remember the thing that makes climbing truly special is connection and community. Lift yourself and one another up and be unapologetic and ruthless to cut out anything and anyone who doesn’t.

Ipek Cav