Basically I've got a huge choice to make
Begin transition this summer
or work at the summer camp I've gone to for years and love

It's a christian summer camp, so I'm extremely nervous about asking them if they'd allow someone transitioning to be in the service/kitchen crew. They require counselors to have one year out of high school, so I can't be a counselor and I'd sure understand why they wouldn't let me be a counselor just beginning transition... But for the service crew I feel like there may be hope.
Since I care so much for this place, it's going to be so hard for me to work up the courage to come out to them, for fear of being rejected or even told I'm going to hell. I just can't decide how they will see this. Their main teaching is the love and forgiveness of Christ, so that gives me hope, yet I know there's also plenty there who are somewhat/very conservative.
Ugh its so hard to know how people will feel. I think most of my fellow service-crew members would be okay, but they certainly don't represent the administration.

I've been asking one of my friends who also went there, and who I'm out to, for advice. I'm also trying to build up the courage to come out to my bible study leader and ask her for advice as well- she was my counselor for 2 years at this camp. There's also one other person I'm trying to get the courage to ask who is a little closer to the administration, but I don't know if I'll ask him or not...

I know that if it comes down to it, I WILL pick transition, but I'm just so frustrated about it.

Ugh really I just needed to vent, but if you have advice or input, I appreciate it. I'm really trying to figure out the best course of action for this situation.

I hate decisions too man, but I think if I were you, I'd pick transition. Theres only so long you can put your life on hold, and theres other opportunities out there (maybe even an lgbt friendly camp). Check to see if there's any legal protections for you, and then talk to whoever is in charge at the camp.

If you put your life on hold this time, you're setting a precedent for yourself to put yourself on hold again for someone else. This is your life, you need to do what's best for you.

I was also in the same situation at Guelph Bible Camp in Ontario. Unfortunately I was unable to work there. I hope you have better luck

Quote from: LearnedHand on November 30, 2013, 04:44:17 PM
I hate decisions too man, but I think if I were you, I'd pick transition. Theres only so long you can put your life on hold, and theres other opportunities out there (maybe even an lgbt friendly camp). Check to see if there's any legal protections for you, and then talk to whoever is in charge at the camp.

If you put your life on hold this time, you're setting a precedent for yourself to put yourself on hold again for someone else. This is your life, you need to do what's best for you.

Thanks man
I don't think I have any legal protections, sadly. Part of why I'm so worried about it.
There's a camp just for transgender kids that I discovered today, and I'm hoping to volunteer there once I turn 21, since that's their age requirement. If this camp doesn't work out for me, at least there's that one.

Quote from: thatboyfresh on November 30, 2013, 04:49:18 PM
I was also in the same situation at Guelph Bible Camp in Ontario. Unfortunately I was unable to work there. I hope you have better luck

I hope so too. Glad to know I'm not the only one in this position.

I know someone who worked at a camp as trans, and they were comfortable with it, and then changed their mind and this was not even a Christian Camp. There is a trans camp but I don't know if it would be hard working at it, and I am not sure they pay at all. http://www.camparanutiq.org/

--Jay

If you're leaning more towards transitioning then it wouldn't hurt to ask if you could still work at the camp. At least if they say no they'll have made the decision for you. That might make it a little easier than having to choose one over the other yourself.

CursedFireDean,

That stinks to think that you may not be able to work at the camp.  I would suggest that if they say that you cannot work at the camp due to religious reasons, you ask them to show you in the Bible where transition is a sin.  There really isn't anything in there like there is when it comes to homosexuality.  There are Eunichs in there, after all!  Even whats-his-name, Pat Robertson or some Evangelical said that it wasn't a sin.  Later he said we were "sick" and needed help, but that it isn't a sin.  Remind them that it isn't homosexuality.  So often people conflate gender identity with sexual orientation.

I can tell being a part of this camp is important to you.  Good luck.

Quote from: Brett on November 30, 2013, 06:25:27 PM
CursedFireDean,

That stinks to think that you may not be able to work at the camp.  I would suggest that if they say that you cannot work at the camp due to religious reasons, you ask them to show you in the Bible where transition is a sin.  There really isn't anything in there like there is when it comes to homosexuality.  There are Eunichs in there, after all!  Even whats-his-name, Pat Robertson or some Evangelical said that it wasn't a sin.  Later he said we were "sick" and needed help, but that it isn't a sin.  Remind them that it isn't homosexuality.  So often people conflate gender identity with sexual orientation.

I can tell being a part of this camp is important to you.  Good luck.

I'm with Brett on this.  If you really want to work at this camp, then the best thing you can do is present your case to them using Bible scripture (or lack thereof).  If by the end of it, they still don't want you having anything to do with their camp, well, was that camp really Christ-centered to begin with?  With that in mind, you can kick off your transition.

Quote from: Brett on November 30, 2013, 06:25:27 PM
CursedFireDean,

That stinks to think that you may not be able to work at the camp.  I would suggest that if they say that you cannot work at the camp due to religious reasons, you ask them to show you in the Bible where transition is a sin.  There really isn't anything in there like there is when it comes to homosexuality.  There are Eunichs in there, after all!  Even whats-his-name, Pat Robertson or some Evangelical said that it wasn't a sin.  Later he said we were "sick" and needed help, but that it isn't a sin.  Remind them that it isn't homosexuality.  So often people conflate gender identity with sexual orientation.

I can tell being a part of this camp is important to you.  Good luck.

Thank you! That is definitely a great idea.

Quote from: Malachite on November 30, 2013, 07:08:31 PM
I'm with Brett on this.  If you really want to work at this camp, then the best thing you can do is present your case to them using Bible scripture (or lack thereof).  If by the end of it, they still don't want you having anything to do with their camp, well, was that camp really Christ-centered to begin with?  With that in mind, you can kick off your transition.

That definitely helps me see this as less of a bad situation- almost like a win/win: either I get to work there or they prove themselves not as Christ-centered as I thought.