Don't bother making things up

Printer-friendly version

Author: 

Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

The real world is as strange and wonderful as any of the stories here on BC:

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

Hugs,
Erin

Comments

Oy...

Page of Wands's picture

The article was very interesting, and I have to complement the writer for taking a very positive tone. But I should really, really know to steer clear of the comments on an article like this. The dumb is strong down there in the depths.

(obligatory XKCD link)

One thread I did like

laika's picture

The comments weren't all bad. Some seemed more knowledgeable than your typical kneejerk "THIS IS CHILD ABUSE/THESE EVIL PARENTS MUST BE TRYIN' TO TURN THEIR BOYS SISSY" nonsense. Because I'm not crediting the authors of these 3 comments I'll only quote a highlight of each. This is a discussion I'd heard before, right here at BCTS...

One woman had a basically feminist take on the tg kid's camp, commenting on its seeming emphasis on girly stereotypes:
"People should be able to identify as whatever gender they wish in my opinion- but what this camp portrays IS NOT what the female gender is. Good lord!"

Someone else countered:
"Look at the pictures. The fashion show is just one event. They're playing with clothes they never get to play with; which apparently include tie dyed shirts and capri pants. Of course they're going to play..."

But the one I really like what a third person said:
"Being a woman is not just wearing make up and dresses, but that doesn't mean it's not a part of it for some women ...... I'm not for applying stereotypes, but I think it's also wrong to treat people who fall into stereotypes, trans or not, as problematic by virtue of the fact."

I like that one, it says what I've always wanted to whenever the question of presentation and what's authentic and what's artifice or sexist programming etc etc gets debated in queer and/or transgender circles.
--Hugs, Veronica

How cute. = )

Extravagance's picture

But, why the segregation? Why does the camp not include girls who want to dress like men?

Catfolk Pride.PNG

Two reasons I think

Girls already have more latitude for the most part and being a 'tomboy' do their thing is commonplace. Plus, there is the usual resource issue of such a unique program.

Kim

Camp Aranu'tiq - Real life TG summer camp

KristineRead's picture

By the way, I should have added that this camp is open to both FTM and MTF TG kids, and is a week long camp that has an East Coast and a West Coast location. The location is kept private, and parents learn of it after signing a non-disclosure document, for the kids mutual protection.

I think its great that these places are starting to exist.

Hugs,

Kristy

I looked through the photo gallery

... via the link in that page and it is quite a show.

It is so joyous, serious and peaceful; oh those children's expressions.

There is of course the sadness, can you imagine the trip home :(

I remember returning from my first taste of freedom and it just about destroyed me, I cried so much.

The last picture is such a photo of sisterhood, as it should be, it is ... *sigh*.

Kim

Kim, I could not agree more.

KristineRead's picture

Kim,

I could not agree more. The expanded gallery provided via the link in Erin's link shows a wonderful sense of shear joy these children are experiencing in being free to be themselves, even if for just a short time. I suspect it is more then that, as I have to believe being with others that truly understand them, and are like themselves has to have been empowering.

Hopefully they will make some lasting friendships and be able to be there for each other as they grow.

Hugs,

Kristy