Port Lockroy blog 2: Why do we celebrate Polar Pride?

29/11/2024

Port Lockroy shop manager Dale Ellis discusses the history of LGBTQ+ people in Antarctica and why we celebrate Polar Pride.

When it comes to the stories of LGBTQ+ people in Antarctica, so many are underrepresented or simply omitted from the history books. By marking Polar Pride, we can change that and ensure we are capturing the experiences, important contributions and unique stories of queer people on the continent.

What is Polar Pride?

Well, put simply, it is a celebration of the contribution of LGBTQ+ people in polar research and operations and is aimed at fostering awareness and representation. In the UK, US and much of Europe, Pride is celebrated in June, as that was the month when the Stonewall riots took place in 1969 in the USA. The event changed gay rights for a lot of people in America and around the world. It also happens during the summer which helps ensure good weather for protests, parties and parades and there is no exception here in Antarctica!

Dale is our shop manager this year (UKAHT/Dale Ellis) 

Polar Pride is marked on 18 November every year during the austral summer. November 18 was designated as the International Day of LGBTQ+ people in STEM. It was selected in 2020 to mark the 60th anniversary of American Astronomer and gay activist Frank Kameny’s US Supreme Court fight against workplace discrimination.  

Why is it so important? 

Like with all awareness days, so much happens every day around the world it is important to stop and take notice of the lives and experiences of others, especially those who may be different from you. Celebrating Pride highlights the universality of queer identities and experiences and the importance of inclusivity, which I believe is also in the same spirit of the Antarctic Treaty.

Last year, Port Lockroy museum manager and postmaster Laura Büllesbach shared the story of British polar explorer and botanist Elke Mackenzie. This year, I wanted to take a step back and share the broader history of queer people in Antarctica.

Museum manager Aoife McKenna celebrates Polar Pride at Port Lockroy (UKAHT/Dale Ellis) 

What is the history of queer people in Antarctica? 

Early Antarctic exploration in the 19th and early 20th century was male-dominated and there is every possibility that there were queer men in their numbers but this was just simply not recorded or acknowledged formally. It is unlikely that they would have shared this openly due to social stigma, illegalities and personal safety but even if they did, it would not have been formally recorded.

From the mid-20th century onwards research stations were established across Antarctica and again, queer people will most likely have become part of the scientific and support teams but – as homosexuality was not decriminalised in the UK until 1967 – explicit references were not made. Personal letters, diaries and unofficial materials, if preserved, can contain indirect references. 

As attitudes started to change in the late 20th century, the culture in Antarctica also began to shift. Many national programs have also now been implemented including anti-discrimination policies that include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. 

Maggie and George fly the rainbow flag in the Port Lockroy gift shop (UKAHT/Dale Ellis) 

The Diversity in UK Polar Science initiative, conceived and funded by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office Polar Regions Department, celebrates existing diversity and takes an important step forward to promote and enhance Antarctic science opportunities for under-represented groups, including women, people from ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities.  

Polar Pride is also not the only queer celebration and awareness day, it sits alongside global celebrations to mark International Day of LGBTQ+ people in STEM. Just 12 days later, on 1 December, we also celebrate Antarctica Day, which marks the anniversary of the first signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959, further emphasising peaceful and cooperative management of the polar regions.  

Polar Pride in 2024

I was elated to celebrate Polar Pride at Port Lockroy this year, particularly as it was also my birthday! On base, we had visitors on the island engaging with our team and the museum so we were able to have lots of conversations about Polar Pride while sharing the history of the day and celebrating with them. 

Dale celebrates Polar Pride, on her birthday, with her own flag (UKAHT/Dale Ellis) 

Want to dive deeper? 

BAS marks the first Polar Pride in 2020.

James Lea discusses why Pride matters for doing better polar research for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Polar Regions.

Professors Klaus Dodds and Christy Collis discuss the intersection of sexuality and Antarctica in their chapter Post-colonial Antarctica in the Handbook on the Politics of Antarctica.

Explore the BAS Archives Service. 

– Dale Ellis, Shop Manager, Port Lockroy