Trans Land 2!

Q&A's

Please read all of these before applying!

What is Trans Land 2?

Trans Land 2 is a 4-night/5-day, free, experimental, BIPOC-majority trans & nonbinary community taking place in a cozy forested summer camp retreat!It's not like a typical "summer camp" which is a paid experience that has a schedule and entertainment and is most popular with certain classes of folks. Instead, we're creating a space for trans & nonbinary community of many different backgrounds to come to connect, grow community, and create joy together. <3We have a gorgeous foresty space with lots of space to inhabit and create community. We'll have a some cool things ready, but we highly encourage attendees to bring their interests and passions to share as well!Some things we'll probably be doing:- Gathering by the campfire
- Sharing food with each other
- Going for forest walks
- Visiting the nearby bay
- Forming community groups in the fairy circle
- Doing art by the art shelter
- Playing volleyball, badminton, or just playing with the sand with our sandy net setup
- Playing games in the trans lodge
- Watching movies & playing video games on the big projector screen
- Reading and sharing zines in the zine library
- Going on trips to the nearby wildlife refuge or Olympic National Park
- Visiting cute nearby towns & farmer's markets
- Making new trans & nonbinary friends!
- Growing new trans & nonbinary community <3What we do depends on the folks who'll be there, and we're sure you'll come up with a lot more to do. <3Of course, you're not required to do anything (besides COVID tests) and are able to engage how you'd like!

Who is Trans Land for?

It's for trans & nonbinary adults, using a very inclusive definition of trans & nonbinary (anyone who is not cis). It's especially for BIPOC trans & nonbinary folks and those who may not have much community or spaces of belonging elsewhere. We're here to grow that community!Our goal is to have a majority-BIPOC and BIPOC-centered community. At our last year's Trans Land and previous Trans Camp events, we've had between 55-65% BIPOC attendees.If you attended the first Trans Land in 2023, unfortunately you're not eligible for Trans Land 2 (except the small group of organizers)! The reasons for this are many, but we've found that having a large number of returnees at an event makes new attendees feel less welcome. We want folks to be on the same page when they arrive to meet new folks, make new friends, and grow new community. <3We love trans joy, trans community, trans dignity, trans decolonization, abolition, and trans liberation. We very much do not love racism, ableism, fatphobia, transmisogyny, capitalism, etc. We ask attendees to respect and grow these values with us!

How do I apply?

Click here or the button on top of the page! Applications are only open between April 26 and May 7, 2024.We don't know how many applications we're expecting, but we're limited to 60 attendees. Because of space constraints, we'll likely be rejecting a lot of applications, unfortunately!We'll let you know if you're accepted on or close to May 12. We know that's not a lot of notice to get time off work or other obligations. If you need a decision earlier, please e-mail jerika.che@gmail.com or DM Seattle Trans Joy on Instagram and we'll see what we can do.

How do you determine who is accepted?

We read all your applications and prioritize folks who can make the whole time, BIPOC folks, and other marginalized trans & nonbinary folks, including but not limited to disabled, older, neurodivergent, and socially isolated folks. We also want a wide mix of folks from different parts of our community, including different ages and genders.We also prioritize folks living in the Pacific Northwest, or who have close ties here, to grow local community. We've had applications from all over including other countries for previous events! We typically accept a few folks from outside the area, especially organizers and activists.We ask a couple of short open-ended questions and ask for your social media information for vetting. These are important considerations.It's a very difficult process to sort through applications and make these decisions - y'all are all wonderful and please don't take any decision as a judgment on whether you deserve to be there. <3We're just unfortunately limited by space, and we choose not to rely on fees or first-come/first-serve methods.

When is it?

Wednesday June 12 through Sunday June 16 (four nights).We may accept folks who can attend fewer than all four nights depending on number of applicants, but will prioritize folks who can stay the whole time.You'll need to arrive between 4pm-7pm on Wednesday and leave by 12pm on Sunday.

Where is it?

For safety, we only give the specific location to folks who are accepted.It's in a small, cozy, wooded summer camp facility right by the water near Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula, about 2.5 hours drive from Seattle, Tacoma, or Olympia, or 4 hours drive north of Portland.There's no public transit access, but we have been very successful at arranging carpools at previous events. It may be difficult if you live in a rural area far from cities. If you're coming alone, we'll ask you to provide a ride if needed and if possible. It's a great way to know someone when you first arrive, too.It's a really gorgeous cozy spot! We're excited for you to see it.

What will it be like there?

We have a beautiful spot of land in the forest all to ourselves, nestled in a forest right by the Salish Sea.We have 3 ways to stay at Trans Land 2:- Three cabins with bunk beds and heating, including one ADA cabin
- Four 3-sided "adirondack" shelters with phone charging ports, open to the forest
- Space for up to ten tents in the forested "tent land"There are also lots of other areas at Trans Land 2:- A well-equipped commercial kitchen
- Trans Lodge, attached to the kitchen, with an indoor space to chill, play games, listen to music, watch movies, read zines, etc.
- The Art Shelter, an area with art supplies and other activities to bring and share
- The Fairy Circle, a clearing in the forest for groups to organize and grow community together
- The Volleyball Court (we can come up with a cooler name together!)
- A campfire space with lots of picnic tables
- Shared restrooms (not gendered!) with running water, sinks, and showers
- Many trails leading from and around our area
- A nearby day use clearing with lots of tables and open space, shared with the publicYou'll be able to make yourself at home and enjoy the land and the offerings that the organizers and others bring to share with community. You can have relaxing days, active days, social days, quiet days, and everything in between.In the application, you can choose one of the standard cabins, the ADA accessible cabin, an adirondack shelter, or a tent. Cabins have up to
6 bunk beds in a room with space for luggage under the beds. We will have earplugs and breathe right strips and ask folks to be respectful of others sleeping!

Why are you calling Trans Land 2 "cozy forest edition"?

It's a cute name, and it describes Trans Land 2 well!Trans Land 1 in 2023 was at a sprawling summer camp facility with capacity for 2.5x the number of people as Trans Land 2. It had large fields and we were there during the peak of summer.Trans Land 2 in 2024 is a more cozy, forested, space! We'll be surrounded by trees and nature.

How many translanders will be there?

There are spots for up to 60 people, and we expect to be pretty close to that number!

Are there activities or an agenda?

The only agenda item we'll set beforehand is an intro gathering at 8pm (right before sundown) on the day of arrival, and one the night before leaving! Everything else will be community-organized!We'll have a community board where folks can organize activities and connections together! We found this VERY successful in gathering folks together at Trans Land 1! You're also free to connect and organize things however else you'd like, and do whatever you'd like on your own!Want to make some vegan bibimbap together to feed 25 people? Want to go on a trip to the national park nearby? Want to play some volleyball? Want to watch some trans comedy? Want to do some stargazing? Want to play hide and seek? Want to make collages together? Organize it and folks will come!Each one of our community gatherings is a brand new experiment, but we have enough experience with our amazing and vibrant community that we know there will be plenty to do and plenty of ways to connect. Our organizers will be coming up with some of our activities, too!

How much does it cost?

$0.00 USD!You will need some basic supplies like a pillow and blanket/sheet or sleeping bag and whatever else you need to live in the land for a week. We can provide aid for these supplies - there's a spot on the application to request these, or contact us for any other need requests.

How do I get there?

The only realistic way for most folks to get there is by car (there is no public transit).If you don't have a ride, we'll do our best to arrange a carshare! Folks who are driving and have space are asked to please provide a ride for another attendee who may need it. This is really important to us for accessibility, but also a great way to make a connection with another attendee on the way to and from Trans Land.If you're not located near any drivers, it may be difficult to find a rideshare, but we'll see what we can do.

Is food provided?

Meals aren't provided by the organizers -- instead, we'll be making food together and feeding each other. We think it'll be an amazing way to build community, make connection over food, and to practice our values.We will have a community food area and bring some ingredients, snacks, and staples to eat and share.We'll ask folks who want to do so to organize with each other to make meals -- for a few people or a lot of people. We'll have a system where you can arrange to use our big commercial cafeteria kitchen and find others to cook with you. We like to have vegan food as much as we can, and ask folks to keep in mind various food restrictions and orientations around food from different cultures, backgrounds, neurodivergence, difficulties around eating, etc.We'll have more info on this system for those who are accepted!You're very very welcome to bring and eat your own food, including camp stoves or other camp equipment if you'd like, and to share with others. There will be a microwave and other kitchen equipment. There are also plenty of restaurants and grocery stores not too far away. Nobody will go hungry if you let the community know your needs!There is drinkable water available, and we should have hot water at most times!

I've been to or am going to Trans Camp, can I come here too?

Folks who have been a Trans Camp are welcome to apply, but those who went to Trans Land last year are asked to make space this year for others. Trans Campers were invited to Trans Land 1, so it's just fair to allow those who didn't attend last year the opportunity to come to Trans Camp 2.Due to the BIPOC-centered community-growing spirit of the space, we try to treat returnees and friends-of-returnees the same as any other applicants, so returning or knowing someone doesn't necessarily mean you'll have better chances of being accepted.

Is Trans Land accessible?

"Accessible" depends on a person's needs of course, and we recognize it's impossible for a space to be 100% accessible -- particularly considering some accessibility needs conflict with each other.Our space is considered "ADA Accessible" by the land management and there is one ADA accessible cabin. There are trails and surfaces that have varying accessibility.Please contact us with any specific accessibility questions, and/or include any accessibility requests in your application!

What about COVID?

We ask everyone to take a COVID test within 48 hours before arrival to Trans Land 2, and then take another COVID test upon arrival. We'll have COVID tests on site and will work as community to provide tests for those who need them before arrival.Most of our space is outdoors, except the cabins, cafeteria/kitchen, and restroom buildings. Folks who don't wish to stay in a cabin or shelter with others can stay in tent (either bring your own or we can provide aid if needed).You're welcome to wear masks throughout camp, especially when close to others. We encourage folks to distance whenever you can. We'll have some KN95 masks available.Folks can come and go from camp and may go to public spaces (such as restaurants) during camp. We highly encourage you to wear masks when you're indoors outside of camp, to stay away from crowds, and to eat outdoors whenever you can.Let's keep each other safe! <3

What about wildfire smoke? :(

It's a little early for wildfire season, but climate change makes things uncertain so it's a possibility. We don't know at this time. We know it may make Trans Land inaccessible for some folks.Based on history, there won't be a burn ban at this time so we can make campfires, but again due to climate change this is becoming more possible -- we'll let you know.Most of Trans Land is outdoors, except the cabins, bathroom, and cafeteria, so there will be limited spots to avoid wildfire smoke if it's there. Keeping our few indoor areas very-well-air-purified is honestly probably unrealistic, unfortunately, even for our sleeping areas -- but we'll do what we can. Masks will probably be the strongest protection.We will have box fans with filters in the indoor areas (but there is only so much these can do).We do find that natural areas around forests do have a natural filtering effect for the smoke, but it's just unknown how well that might help at Trans Land.We'll probably keep Trans Land going even if there's wildfire smoke. We'll keep in touch with accepted folks with any changes. It's of course OK to drop out for safety.

Can my dog (or other nonhuman animal friend) come?

No, except service animals (no ESA). :(

Can my cis partner/friend come?

No.

Will there be cell service?

There is very spotty cell phone service at the site. There is reliable service a short drive away.

Can I get supplies nearby?

Yes! There is a small grocery with a deli about 3 miles away, and the town of Port Angeles is not too far.

Will there be substances?

This is not a sober event, but you are very welcome to be sober if you choose! Please be respectful of others, of course, and understand folks have different relationships to substances and sobriety.Please keep yourself and each other safe. Don't wander off trails, be very careful around fires, be very very careful around water, and just be safe & cool in general.

What about safety?

We want to create a culture of care and consent. That said, the organizers don't take responsibility for attendees' safety. We'll be in nature and nature has hazards. That said, we want to create an environment where we keep each other safe. There are first aid kits and we encourage folks to bring their own safety supplies. Please be particularly careful and safe with vehicles, in the kitchen, and around the water.

Who are you??

We're a BIPOC-majority group of trans & nonbinary folks, mostly based in/around Seattle! We're all former attendees of Trans Camp and came together to organize this awesome event. We include Jerika Che, Izzy Tongedahl, Benny Ilac, Valentine Yepez, Tansy Huang, Bel Quiaoit, Em Chan, Dakota Martin, and Eve M. <3We've organized as Seattle Trans Joy since 2021, and have organized other things such as the first Trans Land last year, several Trans Camps, Seattle Trans Picnic, Seattle Trans Beachday, and Transoween.You can learn more about Seattle Trans Joy on a recent April 2024 podcast interview with current lead organizer Jerika on the great Gender Reveal podcast here!

What should I bring?

You'll need to bring everything you'll need to live for four nights/five days at Trans Land. That includes clothes, meds, and toiletries.If you're staying in a cabin or adirondack shelter, you'll need a pillow and sheet/blanket or sleeping bag. An optional add is a second sheet or tapestry to hang up for privacy.If you're staying in a tent, you'll need a tent, sleeping bag/blanket, pillow, and recommend a pad to sleep on top of.We can provide aid for these items if you're unable to get them! You can flag what you need in the application.We'll send out a larger recommended "packing list" for attendees as a guide.We highly encourage you to bring your passions to share with folks, whether that be art, games, media, costumes, or whatever else!We also highly encourage you to bring food to share and/or prepare with others. There are several grocery stores within 10-15 miles for fresh ingredients.

I have another question (or request)!

Please feel free to e-mail the lead organizer jerika.che@gmail.com or DM seattletransjoy on Instagram!