Where young Alaskans' artistic dreams come true

When Brighton Coggins landed in Sitka on June 28, his name was Elizabeth.

Coggins was flying from Bethel to Baranof Island to attend the intensive two-week Sitka Fine Arts Camp. This was his first year, and he wasn't sure what to expect.

"When I got there, a counselor asked me if my nametag was right. I had never been out before I came to Sitka. But this was an arts camp. I was like, everyone is weird."

Over the next two weeks, in his vocal and writing classes, faculty switched to using male pronouns. Coggins received a new nametag, this one with the name Brighton. "It was awesome and validating," Coggins said. "This camp is like no other place I've ever been." It's also a place I've taught for several years.

Read the full story:

https://www.adn.com/we-alaskans/article/where-young-alaskans-artistic-dreams-come-true/2015/08/02/