Gay Climbers Converge on the New

Check it out: deadpointmag.com/articles/v…

I am a bit perplexed as to how sexual orientation is relevant to climbing.

My favorite partner is a totally solid belayer, a bold leader, and always enthusiastic to climb. A far less important characteristic (to me) is that she is gay.

A few people can be jerks to gays, women, blacks, noobs or whatever. It says more about the mental progress of the jerks than any characteristic of the target group.

If climbing as a group makes you happy, power to you. Remember to come climb with us poor straights occasionally!

Dave Swink wrote: is that she is gay.

Haha, sweet...

Look at this quote from the interview on Deadpoint:

Homo Climbtastic was the brainchild of Alex Rowland. “I just thought it would be a shitload of fun,” gleamed Alex brandishing a mischievous expression while talking with Dead Point. The other participants laughed, and all seemed to agree that it was a fun event.

They got THAT right! ROTFLMAO!

I tried for a thoughtful post about the silliness of prejudice in climbing. My reward is a snigger. Thanks, JJ. Sigh.

Maybe my thoughts are not very thoughtful.

Dave Swink wrote:I tried for a thoughtful post about the silliness of prejudice in climbing. My reward is a snigger. Thanks, JJ. Sigh. Maybe my thoughts are not very thoughtful.

<3 <3

Hey, I have a lesbian friend, she's awesome! One of my goals is to convert her, but no luck so far!....

Were the straight participants alpine climbers? Regardless, sounds like they all had a good time.

JJ Brunner wrote:One of my goals is to convert her, but no luck so far!

Hehe, so that is a statement devoid of prejudice. Luck with that.

Dave Swink wrote: Hehe, so that is a statement devoid of prejudice. Luck with that.

I think I know what you're trying to say, sounds like you are attacking me a little...I never insulted everybody! Hey, I have nothing wrong with letting gays be themselves, and I'm also going to be myself! I hit on my lesbian friend all the time...we're friends...am I actually serious? No, but I do it anyways!

JJ, you're a douche. Not because you have a lesbian friend and you jokingly hit on her, but because you brag about it online.

a friend's partner (who is gay) was soloing the shield and was almost near the top (chicken head ledge) and had to down climb the route because he forgot the gear he needed to top out with.

gay or straight...that is BURLY!!!

Dave Swink wrote:I am a bit perplexed as to how sexual orientation is relevant to climbing. My favorite partner is a totally solid belayer, a bold leader, and always enthusiastic to climb. A far less important characteristic (to me) is that she is gay. A few people can be jerks to gays, women, blacks, noobs or whatever. It says more about the mental progress of the jerks than any characteristic of the target group. If climbing as a group makes you happy, power to you. Remember to come climb with us poor straights occasionally!

Right on Dave. Sexual orientation is utterly irrelevant in climbing, but I'm glad this kind of event exists. I've had pretty much every advantage in life, so I can't pretend to really understand discrimination, but if people find this event empowering then I'm all for it.

Hey all,

Yes, while sexual orientation is completely irrelevant to climbing, some of you seem to be missing the point of this group. Many of us in HC have heard derogatory comments aimed at gays and lesbians at our local climbing gyms and crags, as well as in other aspects of our lives. This group provides many LGBT climbers the opportunity to do what they love in an environment that is welcoming and fun. Just like everyone else, we want to find people who are also like us. Having groups like HC reminds the climbing community that we are here.

I am happy to say that the town of Fayetteville was extremely supportive of our visit, as we garnered sponsorship from Water Stone Outdoors and held our anti-comp awards ceremony in Porter Jarrard's restaurant, The Vandalian. On the whole, the trip was a huge success. Some on the trip climbed outdoors for the first time, while one of our more advanced climbers flashed Apollo Reed (13a) at the Coliseum. And also, because we don't take ourselves too seriously, this trip saw what is probably the first drag ascent of a climb in Kaymoor by group leader Alex Rowland, during which he redefined the term heel hook wearing gold stilettos. So next time you're tempted to tell your climber not to "fag out" on a climb, maybe you'll think twice.

Best,

Jon

Jon M wrote:Hey all, Yes, while sexual orientation is completely irrelevant to climbing, some of you seem to be missing the point of this group. Many of us in HC have heard derogatory comments aimed at gays and lesbians at our local climbing gyms and crags, as well as in other aspects of our lives. This group provides many LGBT climbers the opportunity to do what they love in an environment that is welcoming and fun. Just like everyone else, we want to find people who are also like us. Having groups like HC reminds the climbing community that we are here. I am happy to say that the town of Fayetteville was extremely supportive of our visit, as we garnered sponsorship from Water Stone Outdoors and held our anti-comp awards ceremony in Porter Jarrard's restaurant, The Vandalian. On the whole, the trip was a huge success. Some on the trip climbed outdoors for the first time, while one of our more advanced climbers flashed Apollo Reed (13a) at the Coliseum. And also, because we don't take ourselves too seriously, this trip saw what is probably the first drag ascent of a climb in Kaymoor by group leader Alex Rowland, during which he redefined the term heel hook wearing gold stilettos. So next time you're tempted to tell your climber not to "fag out" on a climb, maybe you'll think twice. Best, Jon

Whoa, impressive flash on Apollo Reed! Me and some friends were at the Coliseum on Sunday and climbed with some of the Homoclimbtastickers. Great folks.

Jon M wrote: And also, because we don't take ourselves too seriously, this trip saw what is probably the first drag ascent of a climb in Kaymoor

No offense, but I highly doubt it. Drag ascents have a long and proud history, but like most drag queens, the climbers who do them toil in obscurity, preferring to keep to themselves and not be flamboyant.

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I met a woman in a lead climbing class and we started going on trips together. After about ten trips she came out to me and was surprised when I was all like "duh."

"How did you know", she asked.

It wasn't hard to tell but as long as she didn't want to talk about it I didn't want to discuss it either. She was a great partner and I enjoyed climbing with her, we really pushed each other to get a strong lead head, but then she got into sky-diving and we drifted apart.

sexual orientation, race, gender, etc. are not irrelevant characteristics in a person. they help to define who that person is, and it can be intimidating to meet few, if any, people who are "like you" in an activity and community dominated by straight white males. the purpose of this group seems to be inspirational in that by meeting other climbers with the same sexual orientation, you don't feel so very different from those around you and that inspires confidence. i say more power to em.

Feeling a little left out here, possibly covered on a different thread,but.

1st. Im not ingnorant to any person, color, or orientation.

Reading this makes me feel kind of left out! these gays have this "group function" and it gets publicized.

Blacks get "Feb" an entire month
Women get "work groups"
Orientals get "china towns"
Smokers get "smoke breaks"
there is a long list of many groups that get these... dedication

Pretty much A LOT of different assortments of special days, months, places for a different assortment of people.... except for the common white male.

Why is that, they don't have a day, group, or much of anything.

I'm not a big fan of being "fare" but I'm starting to wonder we collectively got rid of all of these. There would be no distinct difference an any of us.

Bob Packwood wrote:The above post is an absolute pile of rubbish, for a host of reasons.

You're against Black History Month?

Alex is just having some goofball fun with his group. Loosen up and let them have their fun. No need to be oversensitive on anyone's behalf.

Jason Holliday wrote:JJ, you're a douche. Not because you have a lesbian friend and you jokingly hit on her, but because you brag about it online.

Touche....

Luke to Zuke wrote:Orientals get "china towns"

Dude, Oriental is not the preferred nomenclature.