GENERAL FEATURES
Gay Youth on RTE
A brand new, two-part documentary following 12 gay Irish teenagers and their families begins on RTE One tonight.
Ireland’s national youth service for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) young people, BeLonG To, have welcomed the documentary, entitled Growing Up Gay, describing it as ‘groundbreaking’.
Produced by Crossing The Line Productions in collaboration with BeLonG To, the first of its kind documentary explores the challenges faced by young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals growing up in Ireland.
Growing Up Gay airs tonight, Monday 19th April on RTE 1 at 9.35pm, and captures a period in the lives of a number of young LGBT people who talk frankly about being LGBT and young in Ireland today. A wide variety of young LGBT people are featured, alongside family members and friends, and portrays both the positive and negative consequences of coming out in Ireland in 2010.
Michael Barron, Director of BeLonG To, said, “The content of this documentary, and the fact that it is being shown on prime time television, marks a huge shift in Irish society. When BeLonG To started its work seven years ago, LGBT young people were all but invisible in Ireland, in their schools, communities and certainly in the media. Growing Up Gay brings their real life experiences into every sitting room in the country, and provides LGBT young people with a platform to voice what is going on for them”
Michael continued, “While the documentary marks a shift in Irish society, it also speaks to the many young lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in Ireland who are forced to hide their true self. The simple message is It’s ok to be gay.”
David Carroll, National Network Manager at BeLonG To said: “The series sensitively and honestly portraits the positive change which has happened in Ireland, as well as some of the serious issues which remain, including homophobic bullying and its dangerous impacts on young people”
David continued, “We commend Crossing The Line Productions and RTE for doing such a thorough and powerful series, and it has been a great pleasure to work with them over the past number of years.”