GAY TO Z
PROGRAMME 3
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In Programme 3 we see how Holly is getting on and meet up with Alex, Rory, Ollie and Lori.
- Alex is 22 years old, plays for a gay football team and wants a career in politics
- Rory is 17 and attends a boy's boarding school. He hopes to study at Oxford next year
- Ollie is 17 and wants to be a fashion designer. He is being bullied at school for being gay
- Lori is an art student in Kent. She is bisexual and feels much better since coming out to her mum
- Holly lives in Brighton and goes to university there. She has recently started seeing a new girlfriend, Jen.
This programme looks to the future. We learn about some of the different ambitions and dreams that these young people have: to go to university, be an artist, a politician, a fashion designer. The idea of the need for positive and diverse role models in LGB young people's lives is introduced alongside representations of the very different interests that LGB young people can have.
The issue of homophobia, which runs throughout Gay to Z, is continued here, with a focus on homophobic bullying in school. Ollie is hugely ambitious and is determined to make it in the world of fashion, but he is forced to fight a constant battle with bullies who call him 'faggot' and 'gay boy', and throw things at him. The effect that homophobic bullying can have on learning, attainment and young people's health and wellbeing is emphasised, along with the need for schools to take care of their LGB pupils.
Another theme explored in this programme is that of being honest with yourself and relaxing about your sexual orientation – you are who you are and that's OK. In addition, who you are may well change over time. Lori used to be worried about liking boys and girls but has been much happier and more confident since she realised she is bisexual and came out to her mum. Rory has always thought he was gay and was fine with that, seeing no need to hide it or pretend to be straight. However, recently he has been thinking that maybe he finds women attractive too, and is interested in finding out more when he goes to study at university.
