Pole With Pride - Celebrating Our LGBTQ+ Members At Altitude

We're privileged to share the journeys of some of our remarkable members as we celebrate Pride Month. Their stories are all about personal growth, from overcoming challenges to discovering newfound confidence and self-acceptance...

Jack sees Pride Month as a time to honor love and equality. He says pole dancing has really helped him feel more sure of himself and accept who he truly is. One of Jack's most memorable experiences was performing in drag on stage, a powerful moment where he combined his love for pole with his passion for self-expression.

So Jack, what does Pride Month mean to you personally?

Pride month to me is all about celebrating love and equality! And remembering the people that has made this a thing for us to celebrate ♥

How has pole or aerial fitness impacted your journey within the LGBTQIA+ community? Or vice versa...

Pole has help me find my confidence and help me be my true authentic self.

Are there any moments or milestones in your pole/aerial fitness journey that hold special significance to you in relation to your personal life & identity?

Getting on stage in drag for Rapture was a big milestone. Combining two art forms that mean a lot to me, and getting to express that on a big stage was magical!

If you could give advice or encouragement to someone in the LGBTQIA+ community who may be considering giving pole/aerials a go, what would it be?

Fuck the voices in your head cause in a few weeks they will be gone! You will be so comfortable in your body and with your self that you will be hating yourself if you didn’t go in and give it a go! Everyone is so welcoming it's unbelievable 🤗

Reflecting on Pride Month, Catherine acknowledges the progress made by the LGBTQIA+ community while recognizing ongoing challenges. She finds solace and acceptance within the supportive atmosphere of pole studios, where self-discovery is encouraged and celebrated.

So Catherine, what does Pride Month mean to you personally?

Pride month is an opportunity to reflect on all the struggles that the LGBTQIA+ community has overcome to be able to get us to the position we are currently in. Although there are still many struggles that the community faces, we are incredibly lucky to have come so far and live in a country where we will not be imprisoned for being part of the community. By having a time in the year to celebrate diversity and educate others, it increases awareness and normalizes the fact that not everyone is heterosexual and cis gender.

How has pole or aerial fitness impacted your journey within the LGBTQIA+ community? Or vice versa

The pole community is the most supportive, welcoming and encouraging community that I have ever been a part of. No matter how you may present yourself, you're always welcome and I really love and appreciate that.

If you could give advice or encouragement to someone in the LGBTQIA+ community who may be considering giving pole/aerials a go, what would it be?

Every studio I have been to has been the most supportive place. It's somewhere that you can really learn about yourself with the support of everyone around you.

For Zara, Pride Month is about celebrating with chosen family and experiencing unconditional acceptance. Pole fitness has provided Zara with a means to express her feminine side in a safe and welcoming space, fostering self-acceptance and exploration.

So Zara, what does Pride Month mean to you personally?

Pride month for me is a time to celebrate with my chosen family and a time I have always felt unconditionally accepted and surrounded by love!

How has pole or aerial fitness impacted your journey within the LGBTQIA+ community? Or vice versa

Pole fitness has allowed me to connect with and express my feminine side. It’s created a safe space for me to express myself ♥

Are there any moments or milestones in your pole/aerial fitness journey that hold special significance to you in relation to your personal life & identity?

The overall welcoming and accepting vibe from everyone has been significant to me, as well as knowing that it’s a space for me to safely express myself.

If you could give advice or encouragement to someone in the LGBTQIA+ community who may be considering giving pole/aerials a go, what would it be?

That you will find a lovely community of accepting and encouraging people, form friendships and be able to freely express yourself, I’d tell them to give it a go!

We know that representation matters. Are there any specific LGBTQIA+ athletes, fitness role models, or public figures who inspire you, and why? We'd love to use our voice to help spread awareness on these incredible humans

Shaneel Lal, LGBTQIA+ activist and author inspires me to be active in my community. Shaneel is incredibly brave and they use their voice to spread awareness and fight for their community.

Thank you Jack, Catherine and Zara for sharing your journey's with us ♥

At Altitude, we're committed to fostering inclusivity and celebrating the richness of every individual's journey. Our goal is to create a welcoming space, where Pride is not just a month but a year-round celebration of authenticity and acceptance.