Programme NotesAims:
To raise awareness of:
Synopsis:
00.00-03.34
Auditions - Clara attracted to female singer. Boys' chauvinist conversation. Jess tells them - grow up! Giving up on boys, becoming lesbian. Clara asks if being lesbian is a last resort? Boys taunt each other about being gay.
03.35-6.40
Clara, low since finishing with boyfriend, observes relationships. Friend suggests night out with the girls.
6.41-9.25
Clubbing. Crude male chat-up line. Clara laughs. Dreams of Lilly - wakes with anxiety. Row with close friend. Sees Darren with Lilly - jealous.
9.26-14.43
Lesbian café. Can't go in. Home - Dennis acting like they're a couple, mum colluding. Clara furious. Befriended in café. Talks about lesbian feelings. Abuse from lads. Jenny can't accept it. Talks to other friends - will take time - people will be OK.
14.44-17.06
Locker room - Lilly asks to borrow conditioner.
17.07-24.10
Lilly asks Clara to sing duet. Thinks - ridiculous: love duet for girl and boy! Friends begin accepting she's lesbian. Mum supportive. Lilly and Clara happy, sing duet.
Curriculum Relevance:
Major PSHE and Citizenship focus. Cross-curricular: English and Drama, media, psychology, religious and moral education.
England & Wales Key Stage 4
PSHE
Citizenship
Northern Ireland
Learning for Life and Work Area (14-18)
Local and Global Citizenship Strand
Personal Development Strand (Including PSHE and Home Economics)
Scotland
Scottish Executive: Guidance on PSD, Citizenship and Sex Education - middle to upper secondary stages.
Background Information:
What do we mean by homosexuality?
A useful way of trying to understand homosexuality is to see it as a whole emotional pattern that develops as a child grows. It is usually at the early stage of sexual awareness that a child who is homosexual first feels attracted emotionally and sexually to the same sex. Homosexual people are not sick, as homosexuality is not an illness. Media images often focus on the sexual side, and on the gay consumer, to the detriment of understanding the nature and diversity of gay people in the population. The terms homosexual and gay are used for both sexes. Lesbian for women.
What causes people to be homosexual?
Many theories have been put forward, but no one has proved conclusively why some people are homosexual and others are not. It seems likely that the interaction of a very complex set of chemical, biological, genetic, hormonal, environmental and developmental factors, totally outside the control of any individual, is involved. Within the complexity of these theories it's important not to lose sight of the human needs of individuals who are homosexual.
How does growing sexual awareness affect someone who is homosexual?
Given the general lack of education about homosexuality and the present climate of hostility and prejudice, it is not surprising that they may suffer from fear and confusion, and consequently may deny their homosexuality even to themselves. Some may have been aware of these feelings from the age of 11 or 12 or even earlier.
What do gay teenagers themselves think?
Gay teenagers often recall this period in terms of growing unease and feeling apart from other children in a way they can't quite understand. As their sexual development speeds up it becomes clear that this difference is a sexual one leading to increasing feelings of fear and loneliness. Even though the images of gay people they see on television have improved in recent years, young people do not appear to identify with these. Schools are generally not considered safe places to 'come out'.
Will he or she change as they grow older?
This is a question parents and others often ask and may reflect concern about giving the wrong kind of support in the first instance, fearing emotional damage later if the sexual orientation should change. This is an issue that requires careful reflection because of the complexity of feelings and emotions during adolescence. There is always the possibility someone may be bisexual but the number of practising bisexuals is very small. There are some heterosexual people whose sexual orientation changes as they get older but this represents a very small number. Given the pressures on a young gay person it is unlikely that someone who is not of this orientation would for long believe they were gay. What is important is that they should not be pressurised but should have the support of their family and friends in working through the process of understanding their sexual orientation.
Activities:
Focusing on views and experiences of young people in the film provides a safety net for students and teachers when discussing sensitive issues. Teachers should familiarise themselves with relevant guidelines and policy in relation to content.
Before viewing
In 'Breaking Up' it was hinted that Clara might be gay. Ask students to:
After viewing
What are the obstacles Clara has to overcome in relation to:
What is significant about:
Key questions
Is there anywhere else Clara could have gone to get help, support, or to talk? In the film, boys and girls communicate differently among themselves about each other. In what ways? What lies at the root of it? How do the class feel about it? Is it realistic? Are there gender differences? How would they like to be spoken about?
Links:
This web page contains links to other websites that are not under the control of and are not maintained by Channel 4 Television. Channel 4 Television is not responsible for the content of these sites and does not necessarily endorse the material on them.
http://www.peer-support.org.uk
Offers support and advice for young gays, lesbians and bisexuals.
http://www.stonewall.org.uk
Features school, love, work, partnerships; parenting also features special website. News and features.
http://www.avert.org/youngflash.htm
Has an interactive young people's section and a news and features section that would provide useful information for work on gay and lesbian sexual health, discrimination, equal opportunities and social inclusion.
http://www.tht.org.uk/gaymen
This is the website of the Terrance Higgins Trust, which provides information on various aspects of sexual health for sexually active gay people, including prevention of sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS. Highly informative and presented in a celebratory style.
Credits:
Sound Recorder: MATT BACON
Camera Operator: DAVE FAIRLINE
Online Editor: SIMON GIBLIN
Music by: EMRE RAMAZANOGLU, KIRIS HOUSTON
Art Director: KEITH DUNNE
Editor: HUGH WILLIAMS
Production Designer: HELEN WYGLENDACZ
Director of photography: PHIL WINN
Producer: STEVE WENNET
Executive Producers: DUNJA NOACK, PAUL SUMMERS
Written and Directed by RAY KILBY
Webnotes: IAIN RAMSAY
Produced by Tiger Aspect Productions for 4Learning
