Non-binary, transgender, and gender-fluid teens recently embarked on a one-of-a-kind, two day program aboard the schooner “Adventuress” to sail across the Salish Sea.

The teens got to learn about sailing from a diverse collaboration by Sound Experience and Trans Families Seattle, nonprofits dedicated to providing a community experience for non-binary, transgender, and gender-fluid teens.

Among the leadership crew, and a key coordinator for the Gender Odyssey on the Salish Sea, was Susan Brittain. Brittain, a transgender woman herself, was the driving force behind the program.

Brittain wanted to form a program that was welcoming for trans teens to connect with peers and leaders from the trans community, and to break stereotypes surrounding the male-dominated maritime industry.

“It’s very difficult for trans individuals to attend regular camps without being ostracized,” Brittain said.

With the Gender Odyssey, trans teens were able to have a great maritime experience during the Labor Day weekend cruise, without worrying about being scrutinized for their identities. Joined by a diverse group of leaders from Sound Experience and Trans Families Seattle, the teens were able to connect and sail together as a team.

After two or three years of planning, Brittain was finally ready to launch the novel program back in 2020. Sound Experience was awarded a grant by the Pride Organization for a first-of-its-kind program on a tall ship in the U.S.

Unfortunately, COVID put the new program on hold until 2021, when the Gender Odyssey finally came to fruition.

The group embarked aboard the Adventuress Saturday, Sept. 4, for their first day at sea.

With wind’s strong and spirits high, the teens got to handle sails, stand bow watch, and find out what it takes to sail a 133-foot, 108-year-old vessel across the Salish Sea.

The following morning, the teen crew put the previous day’s knowledge to test and successfully voyaged across the water for the second time.

The program coordinator set up four different learning stations for the young sailors to learn more about maritime trades.

One of the stations focused on sea shantys and highlighted sea songs performed in five different languages, emphasizing folk songs from around the world.

A writing station brought stories of personal journeys and hope, while two other stations about plankton and bull kelp provided an undersea foundation for topics encompassing diversity and life.

“This is a really good support group... they took part in everything we had to offer on the boat,” Brittain said.

After returning to the docks, Trans Families Seattle held a graduation ceremony for the “Trans Youth Taking Action Now” youth leadership group members, and the teens shared experiences and discussed what sailing on the schooner meant to each of them.

“It was good for the youth to talk with a diverse group of people,” Brittain said. The Gender Odyssey “opened their eyes to realize that there are careers for them in the maritime industry … it was a very touching and personal experience.”

Brittain plans on running the Gender Odyssey on the Salish Sea program again in 2022.

For more information about the Gender Odyssey or other Sound Experience programs, visit soundexp.org.