Forget drag brunches and sweaty dancefloors—one East Midlands woman is changing the queer social scene with something a little leafier. Megan Atkinson, 30, from Bottesford, Leicestershire, has launched the Queer Adventure Collective, a new LGBTQ+ group designed to bring people together in the great outdoors—not in the usual haze of pub smoke and gin and tonics.
“I just didn’t see anything like it around here,” Atkinson said. “There are so many people who feel isolated—especially if you’re queer and living somewhere rural. Sometimes it really does feel like you’re the only one.”
With its first meetups at Attenborough Nature Reserve and the National Space Centre, the group has already started gaining momentum. Whether it’s hiking trails or stargazing under the cosmos, Atkinson’s vision is clear: creating a space that’s both physically and emotionally open.
Nature Is the New Nightlife
“I’ve been part of outdoor groups down in Devon and the Peaks,” she said, “and I just kept wondering, why don’t we have that here?” Instead of fighting for space on sticky dancefloors, Atkinson’s group invites LGBTQ+ people to bring hiking boots, not heels.
The group has attracted a colorful mix: folks from the city who want to reconnect with nature, and rural queers who’ve been waiting for a way to connect that doesn’t involve a train ride to a gay club. Atkinson believes that connection and safety go hand-in-hand. “It’s not just about being outside. It’s about knowing there are people around you who get it—who get you,” she added.
It’s no secret that many queer spaces are nightlife-heavy, which doesn’t work for everyone—especially those navigating parenting, sobriety, or just plain introversion. The Queer Adventure Collective offers an alternative that’s affirming without being alcohol-soaked.
Why It Matters for LGBTQ+ Folks
Atkinson is clear: the LGBTQ+ community isn’t a monolith, and its spaces shouldn’t be either. “Whether you’re trying to have children, questioning your identity, or just dealing with difficult people, this group is about knowing you’re not alone,” she said.
For queer people living outside the buzz of big cities, initiatives like this are more than a walk in the woods—they’re lifelines. They offer safety, joy, and a reminder that LGBTQ+ pride doesn’t need a parade float to be powerful.
“There are little pockets of new communities forming under this one big rainbow,” Atkinson said. “We’re just getting started, and I’m so excited to see where it goes.”
With a backpack full of snacks and a heart full of hope, this East Midlands collective is proving that sometimes, the most radical thing a queer person can do… is take a hike.