7/21/13

"You Are You" a camp for gender variant children and their families


Imagine as children if we could have had the opportunity to be ourselves, even if it was just for a few days? What if your friends and family rejoiced in who we truly are? This is no longer a dream for the gender variant children who attend the "You are you" camp as documented by photographer Lindsay Morris.



Slate published a magnificent pictorial article which I will quote from...

"  It is also a place for both parents and children to feel protected in an environment that encourages free expression."

“[The kids] don’t have to look over their shoulders, and they can let down their guard. Those are four days when none of that matters, and they are surrounded by family members who support them,” Morris said."

"Morris has stated that her photographic goal for the project is “to represent the spirit of these boys as they shine.” Some of the ways in which the kids shine is through the talent and fashion shows at camp that are popular and for which the campers come well-prepared."

“Some practice for the talent show all year, and others create their own gowns with their mothers or friends of the family,” Morris said. “The focus and enthusiasm is really pretty incredible. Also, it can be very emotional for the parents, especially the families who are new to camp and are experiencing this kind of group acceptance for the very first time.”

Morris explains “I would really love to follow the kids into adulthood and see what kind of relationships they develop,” Morris said. “I want to witness the evolution, knowing from where they started and see how life is going to play out for them—hopefully happily—and I think they’re going to have a better transition into adulthood than the generation proceeding them.”



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