Sustainability and the inclusive community may not seem to have much in common at first glance, but both share a common goal: creating an equitable, just, and inclusive world for all people. Sustainability is the practice of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is a complex issue that requires a holistic approach to address environmental, social, and economic factors.
The LGBTQ community, which has been a recipient of issues like marginalization and social exclusion, faces systemic discrimination, exclusion, and violence, affecting their health, safety, and well-being. These two issues may seem unrelated, but they intersect in several ways:
One of the most significant is the concept of environmental justice. Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in environmental decision-making regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Further, environmental justice includes ensuring that all communities have access to clean air, water, and land and are not unfairly burdened by pollution or other environmental hazards.
While sexual and gender identities or disabilities do not directly affect the environment, the social and cultural norms surrounding them do. For instance, heteronormativity, the assumption that everyone is heterosexual and cisgender, promotes a binary view of gender and reinforces harmful stereotypes and expectations. The same leads to a lack of diversity and inclusion in various fields, including environmental activism and sustainability. When environmental solutions are developed without considering the needs and perspectives of LGBTQ people, they may fail to address their unique challenges and priorities, such as access to healthcare, safe housing, or legal protections.
Moreover, LGBTQ people may face environmental injustices, such as pollution, climate change, or natural disasters, that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. For example, LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness are likelier to live in hazardous conditions and lack access to essential resources, including food, water, and shelter. Transgender people may also face barriers to healthcare and face, discrimination and violence when seeking medical treatment or accessing public spaces, which can impact their physical and mental health.
In addition to environmental justice, sustainability and the LGBTQ+ community intersect through issues such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and waste reduction. Many LGBTQ+ people are passionate about sustainable living and reducing their environmental impact, and many organizations and initiatives are working to promote sustainable living within the LGBTQ+ community.
Furthermore, sustainability can benefit the LGBTQ community by creating more inclusive and equitable societies. By promoting green infrastructure, clean energy, and sustainable transportation, we can reduce our carbon footprint and create more liveable and resilient cities that prioritize public health and safety. Sustainable practices can also help to reduce poverty, inequality, and social exclusion, which are often linked to environmental degradation and resource depletion. By engaging and empowering diverse communities, including LGBTQ people, in environmental decision-making, we can foster a sense of ownership and accountability towards our planet and each other.
Furthermore, sustainability and LGBTQ share common values, such as social justice, human rights, and intergenerational equity. Both movements aim to challenge and transform dominant norms and systems perpetuating inequality and exploitation and to build more sustainable and resilient alternatives prioritizing collective well-being and dignity. By recognizing and embracing diversity, intersectionality, and inclusivity, a more robust and effective sustainability movement that addresses the root causes of environmental and social problems can be created.
In conclusion, sustainability and LGBTQ are not separate issues but interconnected dimensions of our human experience and the efforts to achieve sustainability must include LGBTQ+ people. By working together to promote environmental justice, sustainable living, and inclusive sustainability initiatives, we can create a more equitable, just, and sustainable world for all people.
Thoughts compiled by: Gayatri Chadwa