There's a Summer Band Camp for LGBT Youth and We Wish We Could Go So Badly

BuzzFeed News gave us an inside look into one of the most inspiring and inclusive summer camps in the country. "The Queer Radical Days of Summer" is an LGBT+ band camp that focuses on queer, trans, and gender non-conforming youth (ages 11 to 17) and gives them a safe space to discover who they truly are

It flips the traditional summer camp on its head (which is usually separated by male and female genders) and allows campers to change their name or pronoun depending on the day. The kids are given an opportunity to further express themselves during an end of camp showcase, where campers form bands, compose and write their own song, and perform it for their parents and fellow campers at the end of their stay.

In the video, one of the kids jokingly states “gay kids gone wild,” but in reality it’s an incredibly moving camp that allows these kids to, for once, not be in the minority and show who they really are in the most authentic way possible.

You can also listen to the campers' original songs below. Enjoy as your heart flutters with optimism and hope!