Confidence to come out
LGBTQ summer camp helps young people
Danika Fraser thought going to the first LGBTQ summer camp in Cape Breton would be fun but might not have realized how much the experience would be life-altering.
The 14-year-old Port Hawkesbury native was one of 28 people between the ages of 11 and 20 who took part in the four-day event. Held at Camp Carter in New Harris, Victoria County, the Cape Breton Youth Project’s LGBTQ camp was organized by director Madonna Doucette.
Fraser said after the camp they had the confidence boost to come out to family and friends.
“It went way over my expectations,” said Fraser, who identified as gender fluid and pansexual (attraction not based on sex or gender identity).
“Everyone there was queer, but everyone was just the same — unique in their own way — but everyone was queer.”
Rae Pannequin, 11, also from Port Hawkesbury said she enjoyed making new friends.
“This really incorporated the LGBTQ community and I felt that was a big thing,” said the Tamarac Education Centre student.
“I met a lot of good friends that I’d like to stay in touch with.”
It was the first time Doucette organized the summer camp, which ran from Aug. 1922. She said she was amazed at how quickly the campers seemed to benefit from the program.
“It’s been crazy. I’ve been getting these messages from all these kids saying they are happy, that they have had the courage to come out,” the New Waterford resident told the Post.
“I didn’t know how immediate it was going to be.”
Doucette said many people need the program, which is free thanks to sponsorships and other funding.
“I could think of 100 more youth that could use this program,” said Doucette, who travels to schools around Cape Breton giving talks and support to LGBTQ youth.
There is a $25 registration fee to hold a spot and it is returned once the camper arrives. This fee can also be donated to the Cape Breton Youth Project, a not-for-profit organization that started in Halifax 25 years ago.
Calling the event a chance for youth to do “24-hour community building,” Doucette said attendance was primarily people from Cape Breton, with about six campers from mainland Nova Scotia.
“The friendships that were forged (at the camp) were once-in-a-lifetime friendships,” she said.
“I bet these friendships are going to be lifelong friendships.
It was the third time 17-yearold Sefin Stefura, a transgender boy from Dominion, attended an LGBTQ camp but it was the first time he could do so in Cape Breton. The other times he attended Camp Coyote, which is specifically for transidentified and gender-questioning youth.
Stefura called the camp “amazing” and said it was nice to have something close to home.
“I really think it’s lifechanging. I heard campers say they wished it was longer and that they had the courage and support to come out,” the Sydney Academy student said.
“Seeing these things and people being truly themselves at camp, even if they can’t at home, it’s validating.”
Doucette said the camp means it will be a yearly event as long as they can get funding.
“As long as we can keep getting funding for a lifesaving program like this, we will keep doing it.”