We're finding that many among the youth we're working with are really questioning their gender identity, and they need a safe place where they're able to explore that gender identity. What we're finding is that some days they may identify as male and other days they may choose to identify as female. They need that safe space where they're able to explore and find acceptance with their peers and the adults in the room.
That's not always true in classrooms. Here in B.C. we're very fortunate that there is a very fertile ground with programs like SOGI 1 2 3—sexual orientation and gender identity—that's swept through the B.C. school system and is providing that safe space. Here at Take a Hike, we have our counsellors who are able to work with those youth to go deeper and help them explore.