In May, The North Face unveiled its ‘Summer of Pride’ series of events, designed to bring people together and celebrate local LGBTQ+ communities all while connecting to the outdoors. Headlining the series is a collaborative partnership with Pattie Gonia (they/she), Drag queen, community organizer, environmentalist. Additionally, The North Face will build on its multi-year partnership with Brave Trails, an organization and residential summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth centered on leadership and skills development.
“We believe that exploration is for everyone and it is critical to empower and uplift voices in the LGBTQ+ community in order to make the outdoors an equitable and safe space for all. The Summer of Pride series is one of the ways we’re working to promote a more accessible and welcoming environment for individuals from all backgrounds to gather and experience the joy of the outdoors," said Mike Ferris , The North Face VP, Global Brand Management
The North Face Summer of Pride Series kicked off in Portland, OR on June 11 and will host community events in three more major cities: Denver, CO (August 6), Columbus, OH (August 30) and San Francisco, CA (November 5).
At each destination, events will include a half-day program led by Pattie, designed to foster community and celebrate the outdoors. Attendees will have the opportunity to “choose their own adventure” and connect with – and learn from – organizations and community leaders including The North Face Explore Fund grantee partners during breakout sessions, nature walks, and hikes, all designed to build and support local engagement.
“The LGBTQ+ community needs to be everywhere – especially the outdoors. We're here, we’re Queer and we’re enjoying the outdoors. I’m thrilled to partner with The North Face and other community leaders to create a safe space to celebrate the great outdoors with the Queer community. This collaboration helps expand exploration for everyone, especially the LGBTQ+ community who are vastly underrepresented in the outdoor community," said Pattie Gonia, drag queen, community organizer, and environmentalist.
Following the theme of local community, The North Face is partnering with retailers Public Lands, EVO and Sports Basement to help bring the Summer of Pride series to life.
This year, The North Face is continuing to support multiple LGBTQ-led and focused orgs, including a $100,000 donation to Brave Trails to support its work and the development of its “Forever Home” and new overnight summer camp facility based in Santa Clarita, CA on 54 acres in the Angeles National Forest. The camp will be the first LGBTQ+ camp solely dedicated to Queer youth leadership and community building in the world.
In addition, The North Face is releasing a Pride-inspired product collection featuring adult and youth styles available at https://www.thenorthface.com/pride.
This work is part of the company’s decade-long investment in increasing access and equity in the outdoors through The North Face Explore Fund (established 2010), and the Explore Fund Council (established 2020). Since 2010, The North Face has committed more than $10 million to more than 500 nonprofits through the Explore Fund, including Queer Nature, Out There Adventures, Outdoor Afro, Latino Outdoors, Native Women's Wilderness, among other organizations building equity in the outdoors and create opportunities for all.
