Van Queer Climbers came together with the hope to increase visibility and inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in climbing, reduce financial barriers that they are more likely to face, build queer community in a sport historically discriminatory against 2SLBGTQIA+ people, and create positive change within local climbing facilities for 2SLGBTQIA+ people.


Current Projects:

  • Monthly 2SLGBTQIA+ climbing meetups at local gyms and crags in BC. Locations include:
    • Climb Base5 North Vancouver
    • Hive Vancouver
    • Hive Heights
    • Hive Surrey
    • MEC Vancouver
  • Discounted climbing gym drop-in rates for meetup attendees.
  • Winter and Summer climbing mentorship programs that provide 2SLGBTQIA+ climbers of all levels access to LGBTQIA2S+ climbing mentors and helps them gain new climbing knowledge, build on their skills, and form queer community in BC. 
    • Mentors gain free access to The Hive and Climb Base5 during their mentorship sessions.
    • Mentees get reduced drop-in rates or discounted memberships during mentorship.
    • Free drop-in passes to The Hive for mentees facing additional financial barriers
    • Free gear rentals from ClimbOn Squamish for outdoor climbing mentorship sessions.
  • Partnering with local climbing gyms to provide free day passes to 2SLGBTQIA+ climbers who face financial barriers
  • Climbing workshops, led by other queer climbers
  • Annual in-depth assessment of local climbing facilities, providing analysis of any existing or lack of:
    • Harassment/Discrimination Policy
    • 2SLGBTQIA+ Course Offerings
    • 2SLGBTQIA+ Ally Education
    • 2SLGBTQIA+ Social Media Representation
    • Gender Inclusive/Neutral Bathrooms
    • 2SLGBTQIA+ Employees, 2SLGBTQIA+ Feature on Website
    • Gender Inclusive language on signage
    • Gender Inclusive language on website
    • Gender Inclusive language on social media
    • Responsive to Queer Groups Reaching Out
    • Open to 2SLGBTQIA+ Meetups at Gym


Taylor MacVittie
Co-Founder & Program Director (They/Them)

Tay is a big believer in making outdoor spaces more accessible – whether that’s for queer, POC, disabled, chronically ill, mentally ill, or neurodivergent folk. Their biggest joy in life comes from seeing other people accepted, thriving and joyful in the outdoors and in themselves. That is a big driving force behind why they wanted to form Van Queer Climbers. 

Tay's full-time job is running an equity program for a local bike share organization and helping marginalized people gain affordable and equitable access to bikes. Their hope is that they will bring more visibility, connection, and resources to historically underrepresented people in the outdoor spaces that they love.

Outside of climbing, you’ll likely catch Tay zipping around on their bike, sitting in a cozy cafe reading a book, or dancing it up at a DIY concert venue.

Selena Neumark

Co-Founder & Board Member (She/Her)

Selena has always been a vocal advocate for the inclusion of marginalized groups. Her background in social justice gave her the perfect foundation to be our unofficial 'editor-in-chief' at Van Queer Climbers. Selena is a full-time introvert but enjoys a close-knit group of friends and adores spending time in nature. When not climbing, she's usually playing chess, reading or snowboarding.

Part of her reason for forming VQC was seeing a gap in the representation of queer climbers and wanting to form more community in a sport she now spends a lot of her free time on. She also considers this a great opportunity to build connections in the queer community centred around adventure, mutual support and learning.

Selena is completely stoked about ropes and though she leans more towards sport climbs at Base5 you will definitely also catch her absolutely crushing at The Hive with friends and dancing badly while cheering others on.