Podcast Summary: LGBTQ Outdoors Podcast

Episode: It’s Been A Minute: Where We’ve Been & Where We’re Going
Date: March 16, 2026
Hosts: Justin Yoder & Patrick Thompson

Episode Overview

This episode marks the return of the LGBTQ Outdoors Podcast after a hiatus. Hosts Justin and Patrick offer an update on the organization's activities over the past year, challenges encountered, exciting growth, and plans for 2026. The conversation celebrates key events, shares personal experiences, introduces new board members, and invites more community participation. The tone is candid, hopeful, and community-driven.

Highlights and Key Discussion Points

1. Recap: 2025 Highlights & Highs

• Pride Events and Parades ([02:06]–[05:22])

  • Participated in multiple Pride events across New York, Denver, Dallas and more.
  • First-ever Pride Parade float in Dallas, featuring board member Mallory Hall in a kayak atop a Jeep after recent neck surgery.
    • “Mallory is just living her best life up in the kayak on top of Krista’s Jeep.” – Patrick [03:51]
  • Emphasis on the power and importance of showing up, being visible, and the joy of Pride events.
    • “If you haven’t done a Pride Parade, if you feel safe and there’s one near you, by all means, be bold and step out and go check it out.” – Patrick [04:39]
    • “Pride booths are always fun and a great way just to get our community out there and show representation.” – Justin [05:22]

• Adventure Trips ([05:25]–[06:36])

  • All 2025 adventure trips sold out, including a trip to Alaska (see episode 40) and a planned but canceled Smoky Mountains trip due to a government shutdown.
  • Adventure trips emphasized for fostering safety, community, and exploring together.

• LGBTQ Outdoor Fest in New York ([06:38]–[10:08])

  • Hosted at Timberlake Campground in the Catskills, drawing around 80 attendees.
  • Activities included kayaking, fly fishing, archery, packrafting, watercoloring, and traditional campfire gatherings.
  • "There’s no way to, like, capture all of that quote unquote, Outdoor Fest magic that happens…” – Patrick [07:40]
  • Noted profound personal connections and moments of “queer joy.”
    • “Everybody that comes gets impacted in a different way... some of [the stories] are very deep and personal…” – Justin [08:18]
    • “The more vulnerable you allow yourself to be, the greater the impact on yourself and others.” – Patrick [08:55]

2. Preview: What’s Ahead for 2026

• LGBTQ Outdoor Fest Moves Back to Colorado ([10:29]–[15:03])

  • Scheduled for September 10-13 at Colorado State University's Mountain Campus.
  • Early bird registration already exceeded prior years, aiming for over 100 attendees.
  • Accessible for people at all levels of outdoors experience and all personality types.
    • “This is for somebody whose definition of outdoor experience is going and walking in, like, a city park.” – Patrick [12:12]
    • “It doesn’t matter if you are extroverted or introverted, too... We set this up to... bring down walls and to be able to let people feel comfortable.” – Justin [13:29]
  • Event intentionally structured for both extroverts and introverts.
    • “I am very much an introvert...We are mindful of that.” – Patrick [14:14]

• Call for Sponsors & Members ([15:03]–[16:01])

  • Seeking event sponsors with scholarship opportunities in mind to ensure accessibility.
  • Shout-out to Outdoor Fest organizers Josh McNabb and Nicholas Morris for their leadership and dedication.

3. Adventure Trips 2026

([16:58]–[24:38])

• Four trips for 2026:

  • Buffalo National River (Arkansas) – Camping and river floating, plus visit to Hot Springs National Park.
  • Wildlife Trip (Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks) – Lodge-based, led by professional guides; great for wildlife enthusiasts and photography.
  • Bryce Canyon & Zion National Parks (Utah) – Primarily hiking, with a side trip to Zion; non-camping.
  • Glacier National Park (Montana) – Educational focus with Glacier Institute, guides, and cabin stay.

• Trips feature varying levels of difficulty and experiences to suit different interests and abilities.

  • “We try really hard to have something that’s accessible for anybody and everybody.” – Patrick [24:31]

• Emphasis on community, safety, and trying new things with like-minded people.

  • “It is just this time where we can go celebrate together in the outdoors, who we are in a new place...You have the community, you have safety. It just lets people feel like it’s something that they can do where maybe on their own they would feel like maybe they couldn’t or wouldn’t want to.” – Justin [17:10]

4. Organizational Changes & Challenges

• Funding & Board Expansion ([24:39]–[29:40])
  • Faced major challenges in late 2025 due to corporate rollbacks of DEI initiatives, threatening the organization’s future.
  • Strategic shift: Advisory board became a working board, expanded from 5 to 11 members.
    • Introduction of each current board member and their roles ([26:20]).
  • Recognized need for sustainable funding and more hands on deck.
  • New grants and renewed partnerships bolstered the organization's outlook for 2026.

5. Community Call to Action

• Get Involved & Stay Connected ([29:41]–[33:30])
  • Encouragement to attend local events, become an ambassador, sign up for Outdoor Fest, and join the Trailblazer Society membership program.
  • “There is more than anything, there is a place for you here.” – Patrick [33:12]
  • Stay current via newsletter and social media.
  • Teasers for upcoming guest-focused podcast episodes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pride Participation:
  • “If you haven’t done a Pride Parade, if you feel safe and there’s one near you, by all means, be bold and step out and go check it out.” – Patrick [04:39]
• On Outdoor Fest Magic:
  • “There’s no way to, like, capture all of that quote unquote, Outdoor Fest magic that happens…” – Patrick [07:40]
• On Vulnerability in Community:
  • “The more vulnerable you allow yourself to be, the greater the impact on yourself and others.” – Patrick [08:55]
• On Making It Through Hard Times:
  • “At the end of the year...I am not sure if we are going to be able to continue...But we also needed funds. We also needed a plan. We also needed to figure out how to make it all work.” – Justin [24:41]
• On Inclusivity:
  • “We try really hard to have something that's accessible for anybody and everybody.” – Patrick [24:31]
  • “There is more than anything, there is a place for you here.” – Patrick [33:12]

Important Timestamps

• [02:06] — Recap of Pride events and first parade float
• [05:22] — Adventure trips review, Outdoor Fest recaps
• [10:29] — LGBTQ Outdoor Fest 2026 details and new venue
• [12:12] — Discussion on inclusivity and audience for Outdoor Fest
• [16:01] — Sponsorships, shout-outs to key organizers
• [17:10] — What are adventure trips? Reflections from Alaska trip
• [20:19] — Overview of 2026 trips and trip details
• [24:39] — Funding issues, new working board, board member introductions
• [29:41] — Call to community for support and participation
• [33:12] — Final words: “There is a place for you here.”

Final Thoughts

This episode underscores the resilience and adaptability of LGBTQ Outdoors in the face of adversity. The hosts balance transparency about challenges with genuine excitement for the future. There’s a strong invitation for listeners to join, support, and find belonging—whether by joining events, supporting financially, or simply following along.

For more information and to get involved:

• Visit: lgbtqoutdoors.com
• Outdoor Fest: lgbtqoutdoorfest.com
• Join the Trailblazer Society and sign up for the newsletter for updates.