An annual residential programme run by Gendered Intelligence seeks crowdfunding to address need.
As summer approaches and the weather heats up in Britain, summer residentials are being planned.
Usually these programs for children are segregated by sex, putting trans* youth in awkward positions with limited options for social interaction during the season.
Gendered Intelligence supports trans* youth and attempts to combat this every summer with a trans* youth residential. The programme includes everything from kayaking to raft building as well as informal games and social interacting that helps young trans people gain important personal and outdoor skills.
The residential provides a safe space for all gender identities among young people.
As with most activities, running residentials is costly and homelessness and poverty remains a frequent issue for LGBT communities, especially trans* people.
According to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey in the US, trans* people are twice as likely to be unemployed and one in five reported being homeless at some point in their lives.
Providing resources and safe spaces for trans people that are affordable is critical, especially for youth.
For this reason, Gendered Intelligence is seeking donations to support this August’s camping residential. Previous residentials have seen 15-20 trans youth attending with a cost of £300 a head. This year they have 20 signed up and 10 on the waiting list.
To support and cover all youth, Gendered Intelligence needs £5,000 in donations.
Jay Stewart, co-founder of Gendered Intelligence, said: “Our summer residential really gives our young trans members a safe space to be themselves and a chance to have a positive experience with other trans youth, to make new friends and to strengthen old ones. Come rain or shine the most fun will be had cooking over an open fire, having heart to hearts, laughing and bonding. It just may be that this quite simple opportunity for our young people could actually be life changing.”
“Though many of the youth can’t share their names, many of them report positive experiences: “I really enjoyed being part of this physical project. I most enjoyed the swimming session. I can’t swim but the instructor gave me a lot of attention and said that I had potential, which was really encouraging.”
To donate to the camping residential, CLICK HERE:
Gendered Intelligence is a community interest company that looks to engage people in debates about gender. They work predominantly within young people’s settings and have educative aims. They believe the arts are an amazing tool for sharing stories, platforming voices and building awareness around the ways in which heteronormativity regulates and restricts everyone.
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