People who rock
Her goal is to be the first transgender person to stand on the world’s Seven Summits. Trai● talks to Eri■ Parisi about how mountains have changed her life…
We talk to Erin Parisi, a transgender mountaineer defying the barriers
Throughout my life the mountains have been a source of healing. No matter how I’ve felt in life I knew a solo trip into the mountains would slow down my pace and help put problems in perspective. I love that mountains can help you discover who you are as an individual, or bring you together with others in a common pursuit.
I thought about the barriers trans people faced in the past. I want people to see there is no reason to feel you need to hide who you are, and standing on the highest points is my way of doing that.
I had previous successful summits in Africa, Asia, and in North and South America as a man, but when I came out I found a loving and supportive world that made me feel I could take on something of this magnitude.
I always doubted my ability to continue, but then when I hit the top of Kilimanjaro on International Women’s Day I was overwhelmed that I could live authentically and continue to explore my love of the world at the same time.
I was 7 or 8 when I first started to know the pain of gender dysphoria and the challenge my soul and body had left me with. That’s when I began learning how to love myself. It has taken me decades of struggle to accept who I am and to speak up though.
My transition hasn’t changed my experience in the mountains. I still seek and find the same challenges, successes, friendships and peace I ever looked for.
As a medium of healing the outdoors has been underutilised by the trans community. Trans people in the USA face a 42% rate of attempted suicide, are four times more likely to live in poverty, and have a higher risk of violence and murder. My goal is to open the benefits and growth of the outdoors to all trans people.
I was amazed at the difference in experiences of the world as a man and as a woman. I felt I needed to prove myself after my transition, and that there was automatic doubt that I would make the summits because I am a woman.
It was very much taboo for me to talk about my gender and sexual orientation when climbing Kilimanjaro. Men in Tanzania can face up to 30 years in prison for living their truth, and women face five years. I had a hard time finding data on how I would be received if ‘outted’ as trans while there. There were also reports of kidnappings and extrajudicial killings of gay men when we were climbing in Russia. So I kept my head down and my eyes up, and just climbed.
My role model has always been Amelia Earhart. She opened up adventure and travel opportunities for other women, and dreamed to do what society told her was impossible. Whenever I get a negative or hurtful attack on my goal I think of her saying, “Never interrupt someone doing something you said couldn’t be done.” Then I just keep on climbing!
Next is Aconcagua – we’ve raised our funds and I’ll make a summit bid in February.
■ Erin climbs with www.TranSending7. org which works to promote transgender awareness and inclusion through sporting challenges.