I grew up learning about the natural world from my fundamentalist family, going on hikes with my uncles and parents. After I came out as trans, my relationship to my family changed and so did my understanding of nature. For the last four years, I've been helping lead Queer Hikes -- a hiking group based in Rhode Island that brings our community together. People usually come seeking friendship, and the hikes provide an easy way for folks to chat and socialize at their own pace. It's also a great way to engage with our beautiful New England landscape; there's usually a naturalist or two in the group who can turn the hike into a real learning opportunity. As queer people, we've always needed community to be safe. Empowering folks to take up space in the natural world, see themselves as part of it, and create safety through each other is so necessary.