Summary
Highlights
The video introduces a secret summer camp for transgender kids and their families, a controversial yet vital space for support. Sabrina and her husband Chris got involved to support their child, Ryan, who at two years old began expressing a preference for traditionally feminine items. By age three, Ryan's parents accepted her transgender identity. Now 12, Ryan, who wishes to be referred to as 'she,' is considering hormone blockers to delay male puberty.
Sabrina prepares for camp, buying supplies like glitter, tiaras, and feather boas for activities where transgender children can dress as princesses. Maxie, 11, who identified as a girl from age two, will attend for her fourth year. Her parents recall her distress in school, where gender defined social roles, and her nightly prayers to 'wake up a girl.' Maxie faces rumors as she starts junior high, highlighting the social challenges transgender children encounter.
At camp, children like Maxie and Ryan can be themselves, engaging in activities such as swimming, dressing up, and arts and crafts. A talent show provides a platform for expression, with camp newcomer Lindsay, 8, singing publicly for the first time since transitioning from boy to girl. Her parents and grandmother share their struggles with her transition, with her father expressing concerns about the social acceptance in their home country of Ireland.
Maxie discusses the emotional toll of being transgender, including bullying and rumors, and the thought of giving up her identity. The video highlights the high suicide attempt rate among adult transgender Americans and the difficulties parents face in adjusting. The decision to use hormone blockers, which can prevent future biological children, is explored through Maxie's and Ryan's experiences, with Maxie's mother highlighting the extreme emotional distress and self-harm attempts her child faced before starting blockers.
At camp, transgender girls born as boys enjoy activities like swimming, despite potential issues with swimwear, and use makeup. Maxie is already on blockers, an expensive treatment that her family prioritizes for her happiness. The transgender children express their femininity through dress-up and makeup, culminating in a fashion show—the highlight of camp. Sabrina defends the camp against criticism, stating it offers freedom, not indoctrination.
The camp concludes with emotional goodbyes, as children and families return to their everyday lives. Lindsay has made her first transgender friends, forming quick and deep connections. Maxie, as she starts junior high, decides to come out as transgender, confiding in her school principal and friends. She feels empowered by telling her own story and being in control of her narrative. The documentary concludes with the statement that this generation of transgender individuals is refusing to hide their identities, despite potential difficulties.