In a time when the internet is full of critical stories about gay and transgender youth, it’s refreshing to watch a movie focused on their joy. Summer Qamp is a documentary about Camp fYrefly, a summer camp for 2SLGBTQ+ youth based in southern Alberta. The film recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and Now Toronto had the chance to watch the first-ever screening of this heartwarming piece, which is perfect for anyone who needs a moment of joy.
This article includes spoilers from the documentary Summer Qamp
The film includes in-depth interviews with youth attending the camp, carefully exploring the intersectionality of many campers. Being 2SLGBTQ+ can pose its own challenges, but also being a BIPOC, adopted, or from a religious or conservative background can pose its own challenges. These themes are discussed in the context of the lived experiences of the kids who are attending this special camp.
Many campers shared that attending Camp fYrefly is the first experience they have ever had in a space dedicated solely to the 2SLGBTQ+ community, giving them a place where they know everyone else has an understanding of their identity.
Heartwarming moments include a scene between a counsellor and camper, who connect over the fact that they are both adopted, from Haiti, and queer. Both people share how special this connection is, as neither has ever met someone they have so much in common with, reminding audiences that everyone just wants to find somewhere they belong.
Summer Qamp is directed by Canadian Jen Markowitz, who has worked on projects like Canada’s Drag Race and The Spiderwick Chronicles. The film causes queer viewers to reminisce on the awkwardness of youth and self-discovery, seeing themselves reflected in this piece by the various kids attending the camp. It also highlights something often left out of the discussions about gay and transgender youth: they have the same issues as everyone else, including crushes, how to use makeup, and how to find a social circle similar to themselves. But on top of that, these kids are also struggling under the weight of homophobia, transphobia, and societal expectations, all before high school graduation.
While the thought of “camps,” in reference to the 2SLGBTQ+ community, may conjure thoughts of conversion camps, during a Q&A session after the premiere, a former attendee of Camp fYrefly described it as an “anti-conversion camp.” Meanwhile, the documentary about the camp can be best described as a tonic for those who are exhausted by the homophobia and transphobia still present in the 21st century.
