Arthritis Society Canada Camps strive to promote inclusion for all campers, volunteers and staff regardless of race, religion, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and socioeconomic status. It is integral to ensure camp is a safe space for all gender identities and expressions including but not limited to those who identify as transgender, gender-fluid, or gender non-binary by taking steps to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment. We have taken steps to provide these safe spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ campers, including:
- All of our cabin assignments are based on gender identity and expression and not sex
- All campers have the right to access facilities, such as washrooms, based on their gender identity and expression.
- All-gender, single occupant washrooms will also be available on camp premises
- At Arthritis Society Canada Camps, we address all campers by their identified name and pronoun, regardless of their legal name or sex designation.
We encourage the parent(s) or guardian(s) of any transgender, gender-fluid, and gender non-binary campers to contact camp@arthritis.ca to discuss a support plan and the commitments to inclusion made by Arthritis Society Canada, including how we can best welcome and support your camper. At Arthritis Society Canada Camps, we are committed to creating a space where all campers can truly be themselves and we welcome continued feedback in this area.
Definitions:
- Gender Identity: How a person feels and identifies. A person’s gender may or may not conform to the social expectations associated with the sex they were assigned at birth
- Gender expression: The way a person presents and communicates gender. Can include appearance (e.g., clothing, makeup, hair, etc.), behaviour, voice and name/pronouns
- Transgender: The word "Transgender" is an umbrella term and is often used to represent a wide range of gender identities and expressions. The term encompasess people whose gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth according to dominant social expectations
- Gender-Fluid: A person whose gender is not fixed and can change over time.
- Non-Binary: A person whose gender identity does not fit into the categories of “man” or “woman”