© Slate
Do you have a young male child who occasionally walks around in heels and plays with a barbie doll from time to time? According to some you need to send him to a specialized summer camp.
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.
"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."
Although it is unknown if the kids at the camp will eventually identify as gay or transgender - or even if the way gender and sexuality are defined throughout society will evolve - the camp allows the kids to look at themselves in a completely different way.
Here are some of the photos taken from the camp.
© Slate
© Slate
© Slate
Comment: While 'transgenderism' is obviously a part, for some, of the human experience, we have doubts that such 'camps' are the appropriate way to deal with the issue, if, indeed, anything should be done, in any concerted way, or if 'transgenderism' is an 'issue' at all. It seems to us that such camps merely serve to make an issue of transgenderism in a way that is not appropriate for the children, their parents or society at large. As with so many other aspects of our modern society, almost everything is twisted and corrupted.
. . . from a session 2-3 years years, the development of gender identity is something of, " . . . a roll of the dice."
If one studies the ground breaking work on gender development as a non-linear process seen at Dr. Torres site Gendercare.com [Link] one soon enough comes a realization that things are no part of "binary," never have been and will not come to be any time soon.
From "Gender Spectrum.org" [Link] we have the following:
Gender Terminology
Given the complexity of gender, it is not surprising that an increasing number of terms and phrases are developing to describe it. Below are some of the key terms you might encounter:
Biological/Anatomical Sex. The physical structure of one’s reproductive organs that is used to assign sex at birth. Biological sex is determined by chromosomes (XX for females; XY for males); hormones (estrogen/progesterone for females, testosterone for males); and internal and external genitalia (vulva, clitoris, vagina for assigned females, penis and testicles for assigned males). Given the potential variation in all of these, biological sex must be seen as a spectrum or range of possibilities rather than a binary set of two options.
Gender Identity. One's innermost concept of self as male or female or both or neither—how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One’s gender identity can be the same or different than the sex assigned at birth. Individuals are conscious of this between the ages 18 months and 3 years. Most people develop a gender identity that matches their biological sex. For some, however, their gender identity is different from their biological or assigned sex. Some of these individuals choose to socially, hormonally and/or surgically change their sex to more fully match their gender identity.
Gender Expression. Refers to the ways in which people externally communicate their gender identity to others through behavior, clothing, haircut, voice, and other forms of presentation. Gender expression also works the other way as people assign gender to others based on their appearance, mannerisms, and other gendered characteristics. Sometimes, transgender people seek to match their physical expression with their gender identity, rather than their birth-assigned sex. Gender expression should not be viewed as an indication of sexual orientation.
Gender Role. This is the set of roles, activities, expectations and behaviors assigned to females and males by society. Our culture recognizes two basic gender roles: Masculine (having the qualities attributed to males) and feminine (having the qualities attributed to females). People who step out of their socially assigned gender roles are sometimes referred to as transgender. Other cultures have three or more gender roles.
Transgender. Sometimes used as an umbrella to describe anyone whose identity or behavior falls outside of stereotypical gender norms. More narrowly defined, it refers to an individual whose gender identity does not match their assigned birth gender. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation (attraction to people of a specific gender.) Therefore, transgender people may additionally identify as straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
Sexual Orientation. Term that refers to being romantically or sexually attracted to people of a specific gender. Our sexual orientation and our gender identity are separate, distinct parts of our overall identity. Although a child may not yet be aware of their sexual orientation, they usually have a strong sense of their gender identity.
Gender Normative/Cisgender. Refers to people whose sex assignment at birth corresponds to their gender identity and expression.
Gender Fluidity. Gender fluidity conveys a wider, more flexible range of gender expression, with interests and behaviors that may even change from day to day. Gender fluid children do not feel confined by restrictive boundaries of stereotypical expectations of girls or boys. In other words, a child may feel they are a girl some days and a boy on others, or possibly feel that neither term describes them accurately.
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So to sensationalize what might well be a legitimate effort as a, " . . . homosexual summer camp . . . " is to make a ridiculous slur, when it appears the facts might well be in line with what is seen in the fuller take on the article above seen at this [Link] .
Finally, it might a good thing for someone to start a camp for gender non-conforming girls as well. Our acupuncturist daughter now treats a one-time school chum who went from female to male and who is now a very much happier, freer and much more productive trans-man.
So SOTT-ers, as much as I've been a fan since before the beginning -- 1999-ish -- I suggest you get over your "speechlessness" and take up giving yourselves an education.
The world ain't black and white, as well you know.