Podcast Summary: LGBTQ Outdoors Podcast - Episode 37: Pride, Planet, and Purpose: Earth Day with Joe Toolan

Introduction

In Episode 37 of the LGBTQ Outdoors Podcast, released on April 21, 2025, hosts Justin Yoder and Patrick Thompson engage in an insightful conversation with Joe Toolan, the Justicia Ecuador Fund Director at Green Latinos. The episode centers around the themes of Earth Day, environmental justice, and the intersectionality of the LGBTQIA+ community within outdoor spaces.

LGBTQ Outdoor Fest Updates

The episode begins with Patrick Thompson providing updates about the upcoming LGBTQ Outdoor Fest. Patrick describes it as an "annual thing" that fosters community and connection among queer outdoor enthusiasts. Last year's event saw international participation, including a guest from Norway. This year’s festival is slated for September 11th to 15th in New York, featuring notable instructors like Brad Ryan and Grandma Joy, a 95-year-old adventurer who has traveled extensively through national parks. Justin adds excitement by highlighting Justin Bickley from Alaska, who will conduct a pack rafting workshop (03:21).

Introduction of the 100 Mile Club

Justin introduces the 100 Mile Club, a new initiative encouraging members to track and challenge their outdoor activities through the Strava app. Participants receive a T-shirt upon joining and earn challenge coins as they reach milestones of 100 miles, progressing up to a thousand miles. This initiative aims to build a supportive community while promoting regular engagement with the outdoors (05:15).

Guest Introduction: Joe Toolan

Patrick Thompson formally introduces Joe Toolan, detailing his extensive background in environmental justice and nonprofit management. Joe’s role at Green Latinos involves awarding millions in grants to frontline environmental justice organizations. With degrees from the University of Maryland and Georgetown University, Joe is also actively involved in Annapolis Pride and Indigenous Inclusion Workshops (06:15).

Joe’s Personal Journey and Connection to the Outdoors

Joe shares his personal story, revealing that he was born in Guatemala in 1996 and adopted by a family in Pasadena, Maryland, when he was three months old. Growing up on a three-acre property, Joe developed a deep connection with nature through activities like hunting and fishing taught by his father. This early exposure fostered his passion for the environment and shaped his career path. He emphasizes the privilege of having access to outdoor spaces and his commitment to ensuring others, especially in the Latino community, have similar opportunities (09:41).

Navigating Identity: Adoption and Coming Out

Joe delves into his experience of coming out as LGBTQ within a conservative Catholic adoptive family. He discusses the challenges and strains this caused in his relationship with his adoptive parents, contrasting it with the acceptance he found with his birth family in Guatemala. Joe recounts his first meeting with his birth mother over Zoom, where he disclosed his LGBTQ identity despite cultural and religious differences. This honesty has helped build a genuine relationship with his birth family, who have shown support and acceptance (13:33).

Professional Journey and Impact at Green Latinos

Joe explains his transition from working with quasi-governmental entities to joining Green Latinos, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental justice within Latino communities. At Green Latinos, he manages the Justicia Ecuador Fund, which recently received a $25 million grant to support Latino community-based organizations. The fund focuses on urban greening projects, such as increasing tree canopies in underserved areas and replanting trees lost during Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Joe highlights the organization's nonpartisan approach and collaboration with various funders like the Bezos Earth Fund and Ocean Kind (22:27).

Diversity and Inclusion in Environmental Work

The conversation shifts to the challenges of fostering diversity and inclusion within both the Latino and LGBTQ communities in environmental work. Joe acknowledges the conservative backgrounds many Latino individuals come from, which can pose barriers to LGBTQ representation. However, he praises Green Latinos for creating an inclusive environment by encouraging practices like including pronouns during meetings and supporting LGBTQ staff members. Joe also touches on broader social issues like anti-Blackness and the importance of intersectional advocacy to ensure all marginalized voices are heard and supported (28:38).

Earth Day: Embracing the Outdoors and Taking Action

As Earth Day approaches, Joe offers practical ways for individuals to get involved. He suggests engaging with local nonprofits, participating in cleanups, or simply spending time outdoors to appreciate and connect with nature. Joe emphasizes that Earth Day doesn't require grand gestures; it can be as simple as exploring a local park or trail. He underscores the importance of slowing down to appreciate the environment and recognizing our duty to protect the planet. Additionally, Joe advocates for supporting organizations through donations, especially given the reduced federal support for environmental initiatives (34:59).

Combatting Litter and Promoting Environmental Stewardship

Justin and Patrick discuss the frustrating issue of littering in natural spaces, highlighting the contradiction of individuals enjoying the outdoors while neglecting to preserve it. Joe shares his experience dealing with illegal dumping in Maryland and the complexities of behavior change in environmental conservation. He points out the lack of infrastructure, like trash cans, in many outdoor areas, which contributes to the problem. Joe emphasizes the need for collective responsibility and small actions, such as hosting cleanups during social activities, to foster a culture of stewardship (41:01).

Pride and Safety at LGBTQ Events

Joe touches on the importance of safety at Pride events, referencing past tragedies like the Pulse nightclub shooting. He discusses the proactive measures Green Latinos is taking, such as crisis response training, to prepare for potential threats. Joe highlights the anxiety some community members feel about attending Pride events but stresses the necessity of continuing to advocate for safe and inclusive environments (44:20).

Rapid-Fire Questions with Joe Toolan

To add a personal touch, the hosts engage Joe in a rapid-fire segment, where he shares his favorite state to visit (California), trail snack (granola bars), favorite nature spot (Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis), and an LGBTQ+ leader who inspires him (Deb Dunn, a provider of gender-affirming care in Maryland). Joe also offers advice for LGBTQ youth interested in environmental work, encouraging them to network and build community through social media and personal connections (47:05).

Final Thoughts and Call to Action

In closing, Patrick and Justin express their gratitude to Joe for his contributions and encourage listeners to support Green Latinos' initiatives, such as the upcoming Frontline Defense Fund. Joe reiterates the importance of community support and invites listeners to follow his work and participate in events like the Annapolis Pride Parade and Festival on May 31st. The hosts remind listeners to engage with LGBTQ Outdoors through their website and social media platforms, emphasizing the ongoing mission to create inclusive outdoor spaces (49:56).

Notable Quotes

• Joe Toolan (00:00): "Earth Day for different people might also just look like spending some time outdoors, getting to know a local park or a local trail."

• Patrick Thompson (01:28): "There's something I call it outdoorfest magic that happens when we all get together and we're in a safe place."

• Joe Toolan (13:33): "I have to tell her that I'm, like, gay, because it is part of my identity. I don't hide who I am."

• Joe Toolan (34:59): "Earth Day for me is also that reminder that we sort of have a duty to make sure that we're protecting and saving the planet from some of the harms that we're doing."

• Joe Toolan (41:01): "Some people just think it's easy to get rid of stuff; they're not thinking about the effects that it has."

Conclusion

Episode 37 of the LGBTQ Outdoors Podcast offers a profound exploration of the intersections between environmental justice and the LGBTQIA+ community. Through Joe Toolan’s experiences and insights, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs in creating inclusive outdoor spaces. The episode not only highlights significant initiatives like the LGBTQ Outdoor Fest and the 100 Mile Club but also emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and community support in fostering a sustainable and diverse environment.

For those inspired by this conversation, engaging with local environmental nonprofits, participating in Earth Day activities, and supporting organizations like Green Latinos can make a meaningful impact.