DiscussionTo what degree do "trans camps for kids" function similarly to gay conversion camps?

submitted by reluctant_commenter from (self.LGBDropTheT)

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[–]worried19 17 insightful - 1 fun17 insightful - 0 fun18 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

I remember watching this documentary about a transgender summer camp:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N90m5B2jm80

You can tell it was released back in 2015 because all the talking points hadn't solidified yet. One thing I found most disturbing about the camp is that it collected dozens of GNC little boys together, but the camp did not provide even one GNC adult male role model. There was nothing to indicate that any of these children ever saw an example of an adult man like them.

When children don't see adult models of themselves, they can't picture themselves as adults. It happened to me as a kid. I couldn't picture myself growing up to be a woman like the women around me. Luckily the mid to late 2000s was before children were encouraged to be transgender. So nothing permanent ever resulted from my disidentification with others of the female sex.

This might be an interesting topic for the debate sub, too, if you'd like to crosspost it there.

[–]reluctant_commenter[S] 9 insightful - 1 fun9 insightful - 0 fun10 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

Thanks for sharing! I will take a look.

One thing I found most disturbing about the camp is that it collected dozens of GNC little boys together, but the camp did not provide even one GNC adult male role model. There was nothing to indicate that any of these children ever saw an example of an adult man like them.

When children don't see adult models of themselves, they can't picture themselves as adults. It happened to me as a kid. I couldn't picture myself growing up to be a woman like the women around me.

Completely agree. I felt that way too growing up, and I'm sorry that you did. It often seems to me as if there is a massive proliferation of stereotypes about LGB adults, and almost nothing in the way of LGB adult role models; I sure had that experience when I was a kid, anyway.

That does sound like a potentially interesting debate topic, and I've sometimes wandered over to s/GCdebatesQT, but I probably won't post this one; if you want to, please feel free!

[–]PatsyStoneMaverique 9 insightful - 1 fun9 insightful - 0 fun10 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Completely agree. I felt that way too growing up, and I'm sorry that you did. It often seems to me as if there is a massive proliferation of stereotypes about LGB adults, and almost nothing in the way of LGB adult role models; I sure had that experience when I was a kid, anyway.

I was just thinking about this earlier today in relation to RuPaul's Drag Race, of all things. I was at a rural liberal arts college when the first season came out and me and my little clique of closeted lesbians and bis were passionate fans from the first episode.

It was the first time I'd seen gay adults in a group (men, yes, but still,) and the first thing I latched onto was the behaviors they were modeling to cope with anger. Talking about issues on the show also gave my little group of friends common ground to talk about them in our own lives. Kind of like learning a language. It was revolutionary in its first couple of seasons.

I wonder what a female equivalent to that could be.

[–]reluctant_commenter[S] 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

That does sound like a revelationary experience. I tend to avoid most "LGBTQ+" shows, myself, just because they seem so unrelatable... but I'd imagine there's been a massive tone shift since Ru Paul's show originally came out.