Creating Safe Places for 2SLGBTQ+ Children and Young People

Please note: the speaker will Zoom in for this special session.

Kymani Montgomery (any pronouns) is the acting executive director for the 10 Oaks Project and is a Black, queer, immigrant who has worked with children and youth for over 10 years. With a background in political science and education, Kymani strives to help children and youth have difficult conversations about racism, gender, sexuality, and class. He wants to bring recreation and camping to communities that have been historically shut out. Kymani has worked in both overnight and day camps in Canada, the USA, and Switzerland. 

Since 2004, the 10 Oaks Project has created safer spaces for children and youth of 2SLGBTQ+ communities to connect, play, and have their voices be heard. Camp is the best place on earth. It’s the only place that offers a 100% guarantee that kids of 2SLGBTQ+ communities will feel loved, accepted and respected.

A number of Rotarians have expressed concerns for 2SLGBTQ+ children and the threats that they can feel and experience in the community.  Kymani will be talking about the history of his organization, an overview of their current programs, brief examples of how to make spaces more welcoming, and the importance of providing space for children and youth from 2SLGBTQIA+ identities, families, and communities.  So many of us have children and young people in our lives for whom we want only the best. This session will help us nurture those amazing young people.