Sometimes being yourself around your peers can be really scary. You might be unsure if you’ll receive judgment or discrimination because of who you are, or maybe you just don’t feel seen in your identity. These feelings can especially arise if you’re in a major or career that’s typically heavily white and heteronormative.
When they arrived at Kent State in the fall, Elijah Brown and Ethan Chai, freshmen professional pilot majors, wanted to create a space for LGBTQ+ individuals in aviation. Kent State used to have its own chapter of the National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA), but according to Brown, it ceased a few years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the officers graduating.
There were a couple of pre-existing organizations on campus for marginalized groups in aviation, like the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals and Women in Aviation, but there was nothing for LGBTQ+ individuals. Because of this, Brown and Chai decided they wanted to bring back Kent State’s NGPA chapter.
“I am a trans pilot who really wants to meet other queer people,” Brown says. “[I want] advice or help with things in relation to me being trans because in aviation there’s a lot of things that can go into it.”
The NGPA is “the largest organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer aviation professionals and enthusiasts from around the world.” Chai believes that it’s important to have spaces where people can be themselves and flourish in their shared identities.
“Especially with aviation … it’s a very financially difficult thing to get into,” Chai says. “When people do get into the industry, it helps to have people like them, people who are in their situation so that they have some sort of resource and have a sense of community.”
With President Trump’s transgender military ban and removal of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies and resources for LGBTQ+ people on government websites, there are a lot of uncertainties about the futures of LGBTQ+ individuals. These policies can make it a lot harder, especially mentally, for queer people to pursue a career in aviation, which is why spaces like the NGPA are so important to cultivate.
With the transgender ban and rising fear of future bans in more spaces, there are many hurdles that need to be overcome. But even so, Brown has never felt out of place in aviation.
“Everybody has been respectful to me. Even in general, it’s a very accepting campus and environment,” Brown says. “One of the things I was most worried about was, will I be able to still pursue this as a trans person, considering everything? But I found that to be the case, which is very, very, very good.”
Kent State’s chapter of the NGPA is slowly restarting, gaining more members and traction, and will likely be running again in the fall. Brown and Chai encourage anyone and everyone to stop by– queer or ally.
It’s important to be proud of your identity, even if at times it can seem scary or discouraging.
“Not to say that there won’t be hurdles,” Brown says. “But they are definitely passable. There are people who want to advocate for you, want to see you succeed, and want to see other queer people in aviation and in general, as well.”
Natalie Holland is a writer.
