Few teens are spared from the pressure of figuring themselves out and determining whether any categories seem to fit or feel right.
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Encampment, an inaugural free weekend retreat organised by a trio of Canberra youth will provide a social community support and information to young people aged 13 to 17 who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and plus and their allies.
Mirja McLean-Engstrom said the camp, held on October 17-18 at the ANU campus with the support of the AIDS Action Council of the ACT, was about providing a safe space for people to just be – whatever that may be.
Mirja identifies as queer and prefers the gender neutral pronoun they.
"Whether it's the types of clothing they want to be wearing, how out they are, what pronouns they use, these are things young people coming to the camp should feel free to express," the 22-year-old said.
While the initial camp will be just during the day, it's hoped from next year each annual event will incorporate the full overnight camping experience.
Reed Dalton identifies as transgender and said he was drawn to help organise Encampment as it created exactly what he never had in high school.
"I was the only out in high school and that was socially isolating," he said. "It would have been so much nicer to share what I had been going through with other people."
Devastating statistics from the Writing Themselves In study show about three in four lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer youths experience homophobic abuse or discrimination of some kind.
He said seeing what felt so overwhelming was possible to get through and being able to ask questions of those that had experienced it could help young people to build resilience.
"It's really important for young people to see themselves and other people that are thriving and doing well," he said.
"It's really great to meet people whose families are accepting, but it's also important for others whose families aren't accepting to be able to relate to that experience with someone else."
Along with fun sports and craft activities campers will take part in workshops on coming out safely and responding to trans-phobia and homophobia.
Senti Ricardo said it was a deliberate choice to host the camp every year prior to SpringOut, Canberra's pride month, to ensure campers could forge friendships and grow their networks at subsequent events.
"While you are in high school it can be really hard to branch out," the 24-year-old said.
"Encampment is not only for LGBTIQPlus youth. If a young person doesn't want to go by themselves, they can ask a straight friend or ally, but it's also for people questioning or anyone in that age bracket who wants to know more."
The inaugural camp will cater for up to 30 campers and expressions of interests are open now.
Registration details are available via the Encampment Facebook page.
