Meet the drag performers teaching rigorous ecology in Portland parks
"Guided nature walks are common, but they do not usually feature a lavender wig, knee-high vinyl heels and pearls. One regular outdoor walk in Portland, Oregon, does, though. It's called Drag Me Outside, and Oregon Public Broadcasting's Lisa Wood took in the sights."
Drag Me Outside hikes reconnect queer Portlanders with flora, fauna, and friends
"Efemmera Gendera and Thespis D. Light are surprised by the enthusiastic response to their drag nature walk series, Drag Me Outside. Walks have rolled out biweekly since March, revealed through Drag Me Outside’s mailing list, to connect Portlanders to nature through an unapologetically queer learning style. The tours are often described as hikes, but are designed to be low impact and on solid enough terrain to make Drag Me Outside as accessible for as many needs as possible. "
How Drag Me Outside Is Rebranding Queer Nature Walks in Portland
“'Being able to stand out in the woods and say, ‘I am here. I am trans. I am a drag king, and I’m not going anywhere.’ It feels amazing and insane in a way that I never would have been able to describe to 16-year-old me, who had no idea that being happy as yourself was a possibility.'"
These Portland trail guides build community through science, education and whimsy — in drag
"'Drag is supposed to be radical and so is education, so let’s put those things together. That’s exactly what people need right now,' said Efemmera Gendera, one of the founders of 'Drag Me Outside.'"
Drag Me Outside blends nature, community, and drag in the Pacific Northwest
"Nature and drag may not seem like a natural pairing – until you spend some time outdoors with the brilliant creators behind Drag Me Outside. These local drag talents are encouraging people to get outside and find community in the LGBTQIA+ world by hosting nature walks among the trees!"
Drag artists with biology backgrounds host this Portland hiking club. The nature facts are wild
"f you’ve long thought your nature hikes could use some science facts and drag jokes, we have great news. Portland’s newest hiking club offers both."
Hiking in heels: How Drag Me Outside became Portland’s newest hiking group
"On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk to the duo behind Drag Me outside: Evergreen Hosp aka Thespis D.Light and Fiona Skye, aka Efemmera Gendera. The pair talk about their backgrounds in ecology and ornithology, and the importance of making a safe outdoor space for the local queer community. "