A Mycologist's Exploration of Nature's Rich, Diverse Queerness

By DOUG BIEREND

PHOTOGRAPHS BY Dougal Macarthur

In her debut book, Forest Euphoria, Dr. Patricia Kaishian shares her profound encounters with the diverse, boundary-breaking world of nature, highlighting the connections between the queer community and the environment.

Under the pale glow of a spring evening in Albany, the bustling crowd trickled through the cavernous galleries inside the New York State Museum. They gathered in anticipation of a revelation lurking in the shadows of the past: the work of 19th-century mycologist Mary Elizabeth Banning. Her profound contributions to science were long overlooked, but tonight, her celebrated work drew a sizable audience eager to hear her story.

Banning, a keen observer and artist, created hundreds of brilliant watercolors capturing the diverse features of the mushrooms she discovered in the woods. Her words reverberated through time, a testament to the alien charm of the fungi: "Fungi are considered vegetable outcasts. Like beggars by the wayside dressed in gay attire, they ask for attention but claim none."

The exhibition, Outcasts, depicted the relationship between the marginalized and overlooked organisms and people both in science and society. It was a poignant exploration of the plight of these "outcast organisms studied by outcast people," with mushrooms symbolizing the struggle of a woman carving a space in a male-dominated field.

The concept of queerness is only one facet of fungi's unfamiliar forms and ways of life but has seen them becoming increasingly significant as examples of nature's manifold ways of expressing identity and relationships. Dr. Patricia Kaishian, the curator of mycology for the New York State Museum, emphasizes this perspective, stating that the reason fungi seem unconventional is their tendency to defy categorization. They often challenge our ideas of the individual, forge interspecies partnerships, and can be ephemeral in existence.

As the first person to hold the mycology curator position in 18 years, Kaishian's mission is to chronicle the abundance of fungal diversity found in the state. But she also has a knack for delving into the social and environmental implications hidden within the realm of natural sciences. As the world grapples with climate change, conflict, and deep-seated hierarchical structures based on gender, sexuality, nationhood, and neurodiversity, Kaishian celebrates the various ways nature manages to thrive and adapt beyond human categorization.

Kaishian's forthcoming debut book, Forest Euphoria: Nature's Abounding Queerness, exposes the countless ways nature refuses to be confined to human constraints. Through scientific observation and personal anecdotes, she reveals the underlying dignity and interconnectedness of all living beings. This profound connection transcends the categories we impose on ourselves and others, shattering the barriers imposed upon both human and natural worlds.

In an exclusive interview, Kaishian confided that snakes were her "first love." Growing up in the Hudson Valley, she fell in love with the maligned creatures alongside the many other wild animals that surrounded her. Forest Euphoria weaves together popular science, social critique, and memoir, forming an exhilarating exploration of the myriad ways nature subverts conventional identities and challenges humanity's compulsive need to label and categorize.

We first crossed paths at the New Moon Mycology summit in the Adirondacks in 2019, where Kaishian presented on the topic of queer mycology, examining the intersection of queer and mycological perspectives. In one of her slide presentations, Kaishian displayed a simple, chaotic line drawing of a squiggle reaching out beyond a square, accompanied by the caption, "Don't put me in a box."

Through her work, Kaishian champions a profound understanding of interspecies kinship and the underlying ethical obligations we share among all living beings. She believes that all living beings deserve to be seen, recognized, and respected, regardless of categorization. This philosophy is central to Forest Euphoria, as she draws on a cast of overlooked creatures—slugs, cicadas, crows, and, of course, mushrooms and snakes—to paint a breathtaking and deeply personal account of the endless queerness of nature.

Shortly after the museum event, Kaishian took me on a tour of her research site nestled in the hills of New York's Capital Region. As we plunged into the thawing forest, we heard the unmistakable songs of woodpeckers and the distant clamor of heavy machinery. "I prefer quiet, isolated spots," Kaishian lamented. "But the marginalized, transitional areas have much to teach us."

Entering the forest around noon, we soon noticed the scarce mushrooms. Bright orange cinnabar polypores (Pycnoporus cinnabarinus) and faded amber jellies (Exidia recisa) poked from the undergrowth. With a keen eye, Kaishian spotted intriguing specimens, carefully documenting their habitat, substrate, abundance, and the "vibe of the spot."

Kaishian explained that she prefers to cover extensive ground, even when she doesn't collect anything. Every hike contributes vital information, even if it only confirms the absence of mushrooms. Her method of exploration seems unconventional, but it perfectly matches the whimsical, unpredictable nature of the fungi. Much remains unknown about their biology and ecology, and Kaishian is determined to uncover their secrets.

Our journey soon took an unsettling turn. As we neighbors, united by our shared experiences and the bonds forged in nature. Kaishian's advocacy carries over into her research, and she refuses to shy away from addressing social issues through the lens of science.

"I'm not afraid to speak out," Kaishian said firmly. "I'm not suggesting I have the answers, but I feel a responsibility to address the bigger picture. Nature is a mirror that reflects the complexities of our world."

In Forest Euphoria, Kaishian speaks out against the practices of taxonomy that categorize all living beings, emphasizing the interdependency between diverse species and the social justice implications that should follow. As humanity races towards environmental catastrophe, marginalized groups continue to live on the frontlines, their survival intimately intertwined with the health of the planet.

Kaishian's connections run deep, and she loves the beings she studies with a fervent, protective devotion. In her work, she offers a reminder that our connection to nature is rooted in something far greater than our physical bodies-a shared ethical obligation to respect and care for all living beings. In Kaishian's own words, "Queerness is about recognizing our interdependencies, understanding our shared responsibility, and championing the voices of those who have been silenced."

"REENFORCING BIAS THROUGH SCIENCE IS ANYTHING BUT NATURE'S WAY. QUIETING DOWN THE WILD STRUGGLES OF CERTAIN SPECIES BY PLACING THEM IN A BOX AND DENYING THEM THEIR WORTH IS A VIOLATION OF EVERYTHING WE LEARNED IN THE FOREST.**"

DR. PATRICIA KAISHIAN, MYCOLOGIST AND AUTHOR OF FOREST EUPHORIA

As our trek came to a close, we crossed a rickety wooden bridge and emerged from the picture-perfect forest. Kaishian had spent hours leading me through a wonderland of mushrooms, snakes, and ethereal beauty. As we parted ways, she handed me a chaga mushroom she'd collected earlier, featuring a vibrant orange hue. "I thought you might enjoy some tea," she said, her voice filled with warmth and genuine kindness. Together, the wild magic of the forest and the generosity of its guardian remained as a cherished memory in the densely industrial landscape.

Forest Floor

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Patricia Kaishian, a mycologist, and author, delves into the diverse world of mushrooms, exploring the interconnections between queer communities and the environment. This exploration reveals the following key themes:

Identity and Relationships: Queer mycology draws attention to the diverse and complex ways that organisms in the natural world defy conventional societal norms. By examining these examples, it offers a unique perspective on fluidity and interconnectedness, particularly in relation to queer communities.[1][2]
Inspiring Diversity and Inclusion: Understanding and embracing the unique characteristics of fungi can inspire a broader appreciation for diversity in all its forms, both within the natural world and in human societies. It encourages inclusivity and the breaking down of harmful stereotypes.[2]
Critical Perspective on Taxonomy: Queer mycology raises questions about the utility and limitations of taxonomic classifications, challenging our tendency to categorize and ignore the complex relationships between living beings in favor of established hierarchies. [1][2]
Environmental Awareness and Conservation: Recognizing the intricate connections between various organisms, including fungi, emphasizes the importance of preserving diverse ecosystems for the health and wellbeing of all species. [2]
Empowerment and Self-Discovery: For individuals who identify as queer, examining queer mycology can foster a sense of belonging and self-discovery, promoting confidence and resilience within both individual and community settings.[2]

Decolonization and Interconnectedness: Embracing the fluidity and complexity of fungi resonates with broader social justice goals by challenging colonialist, Eurocentric perspectives on the natural world and encouraging a more inclusive, holistic understanding of the interconnectedness between all living beings. [1][2]
Challenging Heteronormative Institutions: Queer mycology offers a means of subverting traditional power structures and questioning established norms, providing space for marginalized voices and perspectives to be heard and valued. [1][2]
Environmental Justice and Indigenous Rights: By focusing on the intricate relationships within ecosystems, queer mycology sheds light on the impact of environmental degradation and resource extraction on indigenous communities, emphasizing the need for sustainable, holistic practices that prioritize the wellbeing of all species. [2]
Community Building and Support: The study and practice of queer mycology can foster a sense of belonging and mutual support, promoting the growth of communities that celebrate diversity and challenge oppressive systems. [2]

Conclusion

In summary, Patricia Kaishian's exploration of queer mycology highlights the importance of understanding, embracing, and celebrating the diversity within the natural world and its connections to queer communities and broader social justice issues. It emphasizes the need to challenge limitations imposed by taxonomic classifications, promote environmental conservation, and build communities that value diversity and inclusivity. Ultimately, Kaishian's work contributes to the ongoing conversation about social, political, and ecological issues, offering a unique and empowering perspective drawn from the hidden world of fungi.

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The forthcoming book by Dr. Patricia Kaishian, Forest Euphoria, aims to reveal the countless ways nature defies human constraints, with a particular focus on the queerness of nature.
In Forest Euphoria, Patricia Kaishian explores the interconnections between the queer community and the environment, highlighting the ways fungi challenge our societal norms and ideas about identity and relationships.
Drawing on her background in mycology and her personal experiences, Patricia Kaishian offers a unique perspective on the overlaps between social justice, deep ecology, and the natural world.
As a curator at the New York State Museum, Patricia Kaishian emphasizes the importance of examining the relationships between marginalized organisms like fungi and overlooked people in science and society.
The connections Patricia Kaishian is making in her work have far-reaching implications for health-and-wellness, mental-health, education-and-self-development, and environmental-science, inspiring deeper understanding and empathy across various fields.
Patricia Kaishian's mission is to champion a profound understanding of interspecies kinship, as well as the ethical obligations we share with all living beings, as a means of fostering greater harmony between humanity and the natural world.