Inspiration & LGBTQ+ Youth

Working for Camp Lightbulb has brought an immense amount of joy and fulfillment to my life. I have had the unique opportunity to work with passionate people who commit themselves to positively impacting the lives of LGBTQ+ youth. I have committed myself to developing the most engaging and fun virtual camp experiences, connecting more LGBTQ+ youth to Camp Lightbulb and each other than ever before! 

Of course, I have met many challenges and I have lost my marbles many times. Namely, it was difficult answering this question: how can we build a celebratory, supportive, and inclusive space online for queer teenagers during an especially difficult time? Then, it hit me! The queer teenagers--our campers--are the ones who build the space with their light. 

I have witnessed their unapologetic pride, strength, and compassion. It has been one of the most beautiful and inspiring experiences of my life. During our Poetry & Writing Camp, campers were instructed to write Self-Love Sonnets, and one of their poems gave me goosebumps.

A camper wrote,

“I like to dance even when no one’s there,
To prance along the tiled kitchen floor,
Flaunting the vivid colors of my hair,
A smile just for myself and no one more.

Even though my mind can turn to ice,
And storms that rock the feeble boat of peace,
Turning over and over again like a roll of the dice,
Until the cloud of wrong and rains release.

Even if sometimes I fail to hold
Onto the hope and light I know to be,
I know the world is better than we’re told
And there is surely room in it for me.

A blossoming beautiful blessing who’s named for a flower;
The shimmering stardust queen stealing the light of the hour.”

And now the goosebumps are back, reading it again! Let me tell you: LGBTQ+ youth deserve a space to be their most authentic selves and Camp Lightbulb welcomes that.

Written by: Gina Kanegawa on October 21, 2020