SpeakOut

Do we need yet another film about the experiences of young LGBT people? The answer, if the responses in Speakout are anything like typical is a resounding yes. Because the message that comes through loud and clear from this animated short is that young people are still suffering, because grown-ups are still getting it wrong.

Not all of them. Some are doing the right thing, which seems mostly to be shrugging their shoulders, telling the individual concerned that it makes no difference: they are still loved. And then asking what they want for tea.

On the other hand, a lot are not doing that. In a few cases it may be because they disapprove. Most of the time, though, as the individuals talking about their experiences make clear, the problem is muddier. The adults are too embarrassed to talk about adult stuff – like sex and sexuality.

Or they just don't know: they are worried about getting things wrong so they close down conversations. And once discussion of a topic has stopped, it is unlikely to start again.

SpeakOut, released 28 July 2018 at Norwich Pride, is a useful resource. The six-minute animation promotes the findings of a national study (also known as SpeakOut) led by researchers at the University of East Anglia’s Centre for Research on Children and Families. Its focus is on the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and questioning (LGBTQ) young people coming out in the care system.

Six young researchers, who identify as part of the LGBTQ community and spent time living in care, made the film with UEA and the Creative Research Collective.

The film emerged from a series of workshops, during which young people involved in the research worked with researchers and the CRC team to explore their own experiences and the main themes emerging from the research.

Artwork – an interesting combination of line drawing and post-it cut-out figures – was created by the young researchers, then animated and edited by CRC’s Lizzy Hobbs.

The result is a sharp, hard-hitting stop motion film that gives voice to the experiences, good and bad, of those involved in the study.

If you would like to obtain a copy of the film for your own use, you can contact UeA directly.