We are in a really interesting cultural moment now. A younger generation is coming into leadership and bringing exciting new vision. For this last day of Pride Month, before we set aside the rainbow logo until next June, please consider how we include people with marginalized identities in more mainstream activities.

Chicago Audubon was perhaps the first of the established local bird clubs to offer an affinity group - a space that is only for members of a certain identity. Out in Nature is only for LGBTQ+ birders and nature lovers. It is a place where people can know that they are safe and accepted and don’t have to deal with the painful moments - intentional or unintentional - that go along with being in a mainstream group.

Out in Nature is now an independent group. It has launched a leadership team and assumed an identity of its own. We in CAS are proud, in this pride month, of our role in getting the group started and in helping to work out the importance of affinity groups for birders. A group that met in our Birdwalk Leaders Training has also launched an affinity group, BIPOC Birders.

Our former Vice President, Forrest Cortes, started OIN with his now-fiancé, Costen King. Forrest did a lot to help our organization become a more inclusive place in his term on our board. If you don’t know him, you should. He’s a great example of that vision and leadership that a new generation brings. Set aside a little time to listen to this interview with him on The Birdy Bunch podcast about OIN but also about an approach to nature and birding that de-emphasizes the leader and includes people with marginalized identities and also urban people who may have minimal nature experiences.

We honor and appreciate not just Forrest but all CAS’ many LGBTQIA+ members, board and committee members, monitors, field trip leaders and friends and we hope to continue to grow into a comfortable place to be for all marginalized groups.