Chicago BIPOC Birders Cultivate Community with Pride Sit at Rainbow Beach
Three years ago, Zelle Tenorio became enchanted with birding during an organized walk with Chicago BIPOC Birders and Out in Nature, an LGBTQ+ outdoor group. Witnessing a Caspian tern catch a fish sparked their passion. This moment led them to become a committed birder and event volunteer. To commemorate this, Tenorio has a tern tattoo capturing that first experience.
Since its inception in 2021, Chicago BIPOC Birders has been hosting bird walks and bird sits. These outings occur in parks and outdoor spaces across the city. On a recent Sunday morning, they hosted a Pride Sit at Rainbow Beach Park for LGBTQ+ birders and their families, showcasing their dedication to inclusivity.
Attendees laid picnic blankets and received binoculars and bird guides, engaging quickly with the diverse birdlife. Among the sightings was a starling against the hazy sky. Organizer Maddie Fernandez explains that the group emerged from a desire to counteract stereotypes associating birding with “older white people.” She highlights the common sentiment among members of feeling marginalized in traditional birding spaces.
Fernandez joined Chicago BIPOC Birders in 2022. She began organizing walks a few years later, welcoming both veteran naturalists and novice birders alike. During events, participants like Joice Kim and Rachel Flores express their appreciation for the community and variety of birds seen during these outings. The group’s efforts provide a more laid-back alternative for celebrating Pride, diverging from typical party-centered narratives.
The events are often hosted at parks on Chicago’s South Side, addressing the sparse presence of outdoor groups in these areas. Fernandez also educates participants about birds demonstrating diverse gender and sexuality traits, providing a validating experience for queer individuals.
Over 130 bird species have documented same-sex partnerships, according to the National Wildlife Federation, including a same-sex penguin couple at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo. Participants appreciate that birds reflect queerness in their natural behaviors, embracing authenticity and acceptance.