Gay | Because We Are Diverse

So in December last year I did a presentation on the Because We Are Diverse project. It lasted for about 30 mins and briefly covered everything I had learned over the past year. From the very amazing talents of Bunny Bennett, Joseph Harwood and Robyn Archer to Marriage Equality, homophobia, transgenderism and the many identities there are. The presentation required me to be quite personal and honest about my experiences, something I was incredibly nervous to do in front of family, friends, peers and teachers. I hadn’t revealed much of what was said to them before. In the end it turns out that I shouldn’t have worried. The audience were so open minded and recipient to all the issues and ideas I presented. You can probably see me lose my head at the end when I realised the audience were giving me a standing ovation. The support for this project was overwhelming (as I’ve already said a dozen times) and I could not have asked for a better response. Truly can’t believe it. Thank you to all who follow this blog and the project. You. Are. Amazing. Xx

There is a thesis documenting all the events and research activities as well as the results available for reading so contact me at becausewearediverse@gmail.com if you want a look. Be warned, it’s long!

Check out the full Joseph Harwood interview here: https://becausewearediverse.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/a-chat-with-joseph-harwood-3/

Bunny Bennett interview: https://becausewearediverse.wordpress.com/2013/08/29/lgbtq-interview-with-bunny-from-steam-powered-giraffe/

If you support this project I’d really appreciate it if you would like its page on Facebook. Like it here: https://www.facebook.com/becausewearediverse

Full list of thank you’s here: https://becausewearediverse.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/the-end-of-the-year-thank-yous/

Ever wondered what it would be like to live in a world where “gay” was the majority and “straight” was the minority? Wished it were so, thinking how different the world would be? Sad truth is, life in the minority would still be as difficult as it is now. Think about it. Is “gay” and “straight” really the issue here…?

Love Is All You Need? is one of WingSpan Pictures newest short films, directed by Kim Rocco Shields of the film “My Jane Doe”, that challenges the idea that the terms “Gay” and “Straight” are the driving force behind the opposition. It also delves into the somber realm of teen suicide and bullying due to social attitudes to LGBTQ people.

The film is set in a parallel world where the “picture perfect family” has two moms or two dads and heterosexuality is considered abnormal, disgusting, “sin” and are referred to as the derogatory term “breeder”. The film centers around a young girl named Ashley, who begins to experience heavy conflict when she begins to fall in love with a boy in her class. No one knows, yet the opposition to how she feels is all round her with the prejudice of her family, friends and teachers.

The film explores how society is separated by sexual orientation. As one character says in the film, “this is a world where who you love defines who you are” – which is defiantly food for thought. The film reveals the backwards attitudes of our society in matters of love and acceptance.

I have never been so emotional watching a short film before. A word of warning: it is not easy to watch. Director Kim Rocco Shields says, “While this film will undoubtedly cause some uneasiness to its viewers, perhaps that is exactly what it is meant to do”.

Love Is All You Need? is a fantastic, emotional, thought provoking film and is defiantly worth a look. It looks at society and acknowledges that we are diverse, and yet it shouldn’t matter when it comes to who we love.

Watch the film below: