BY JULIA BAYLY
One of the best things about living in Maine are the year-round outdoor recreational opportunities in the state.
Miles of coastline, hundreds of lakes and rivers, mountains and forests — much of it accessible to the public — means there is something for everyone regardless of skill level.
But not everyone feels welcome or particularly safe heading into the Maine wilderness, including members of Maine’s LGBTQ+ communities.
At Kindling Collective in Portland, owners and partners Hallie Herz and Eva Fury are working to provide outdoor opportunities with a gear library and queer-centered events.
Anyone can borrow outdoor gear from the library, but the events are reserved for the LGBTQ+ community, with other events open to members of the BIPOC community or those with body image issues who may fear for their safety in remote locations.
Some, Hertz said, have had negative experiences and have been harassed and threatened while hiking or camping in Maine.
“Nature does not discriminate,” Herz said. “But people do.”
Knowing the outdoors industry in general tends to be male-centric, Fury and Herz were inspired to create resources and space for LGBTQ+ members where they can be themselves in a supportive, safe space.
“We are queer-centered because the world is not,” Fury said.
Anyone can join Kindling Collective and access their gear library that includes camping gear, backpacking gear, clothing, navigation tools, and pretty much everything you need to experience outdoors in Maine without the expense of purchasing it all.
Membership plans range from $5 to $50 a month and include unlimited gear loans for up to seven days, plus advice, tips, and guidance from staff and volunteers, invitations to member appreciation and community events and — most importantly — a welcoming and inclusive community.
“We always wanted to start the gear library that is for everybody,” Fury said. “We want any kind of person to come in and be excited about getting gear for their trips.”
The guided trips and other events are designed for and by queer people.
Building a safe community is essential to the mission at Kindling Collective, Herz said.
Many of Kindling collective members tell of trans- and homophobia experienced while being in the Maine outdoors.
“A lot of queer people experience pretty significant barriers to outdoor health,” Herz said. “Things like running, camping, backcountry skiing are historically white and male and not welcoming to queer people.”
Events planned for this year include whitewater paddling, herbal first aid, backcountry self defense, hiking Katahdin, and fly fishing.
Interested individuals are encouraged to sign up early.
“Our first queer event was cross country skiing in January of 2023,” Fury said. “It sold out with 35 people within 48 hours.”
Fury and Herz said the ultimate goals are creating that safe place, but also helping people build skills so they can go off on their own.
“It’s important to offer this queer programming so people can show up and be their full selves,” Fury said. “Then people can go off on their own and do things safely.”
Kindling Collective is located at 15 Casco St. in Portland. For more information, visit kindlingcollective.org.
