A Boys' Camp to Redefine Gender

[Jesus Malverde]

Over the past three years, photographer Lindsay Morris has been documenting a four-day camp for gender nonconforming boys and their parents.

The camp, “You Are You” (the name has been changed to protect the privacy of the children and is also the name of Morris’ series), is for “Parents who don’t have a gender-confirming 3-year-old who wants to wear high heels and prefers to go down the pink aisle in K-Mart and not that nasty dark boys’ aisle,” Morris said with a laugh.

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.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/behold/2013/07/15/_you_are_you_looks_at_a_gender_nonconforming_camp_for_boys_photos.html

[giftedgirl77]

1. I was very nervous & braced myself for the

worse but this is an absolutely amazing opportunity these children are being given. My 11 yr old son loved to dress up in my heels until his feet got too big. He's 11 now & wears a 14 in mens, I only wear a 7.

We are very encouraging to our kids & let them know they are free to be whomever they choose & love whomever they choose. Granted hearing call me maybe & girls just want to have fun gets annoying when your son uses them as alarms but enh, there's worse things in life

[nomorenomore08]

2. Giving kids who are "different" a safe haven is never a bad thing.

nt

[One_Life_To_Give]

3. Looks like a blast

Tempted to sign myself up. Suppose they take really Big kids?

I am tempted to see about getting involved.

[RKP5637]

4. K&R !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[cbayer]

5. I heard a great piece on the radio recently about how very young people are

thinking about gender. It might have been Fresh Air, but I'm not sure.

They introduce themselves by name and by their preferred gender based pronouns. "I'm Sue and I prefer he/his/him".

The kids might prefer one set of pronouns in one environment and others in another.

It was fascinating.

[MadrasT]

6. That is awesome.

Just awesome.