MISSION & VALUES
OUR MISSION
CRUX Climbing, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rock climbing organization incorporated in the State of New York. We are dedicated to expanding access to the sport of rock climbing and outdoor recreation for LGBTQIA+ communities in the New York metropolitan area.
Through climbing, CRUX aims to build community, support physical and emotional well-being, and offer leadership opportunities to LGBTQIA+ individuals, while providing education and visibility within the greater climbing community.
OUR NAME
Drawing parallels between the most challenging part of a climb and our founders’ personal journeys within the queer community, the name highlights the shared commitment to overcoming obstacles, fostering a supportive community that understands the effort required to ascend both literal and metaphorical heights.
Just as climbers face physical and mental difficulties at the crux, we also encounter unique challenges as we navigate our identities. Crux is meant to embody the spirit of resilience and unity as we face both climbing and life cruxes
Enjoyment and community-building is at the heart of what we do.
CRUX strives to approach our work with the following values, and believes it is the responsibility of all participants to recognize and uphold these values:
1
We prioritize technical and emotional safety. These are achieved sometimes in concrete rules and sometimes through harm reduction.
2
Anti-racism, feminism, environmental justice, and other social justice values are critical in strengthening both LGBTQIA+ and climbing communities. Respect for the environment and other climbers is a necessity.
3
Queer, trans, and people of color (compounded by other marginalized parts of our identities) face a system of barriers to accessing climbing and outdoor spaces/activities. Therefore, we prioritize creating safer and affirming spaces for LGBTQIA+ people.
4
Understanding the roots of climbing culture, including the tradition of mentorship, learning, and humility, makes for more socially-responsible climbers.
5
Accountability to the above values is critical. It is CRUX’s duty to hold the climbing community accountable, our participants’ duty to hold each other accountable, and each of our responsibilities to keep ourselves in check.
6
Collaboration with other groups centering marginalized identities, non-profit organizations, and businesses/brands makes for stronger LGBTQIA+ communities and better access to climbing.
