Welfare & Lavoro
UK: Lottery funding for sexuality DVD
A workers co-operative based in Leeds has been awarded funding from the Big Lottery to produce and distribute a unique animated DVD aimed at parents of teenagers who are questioning their sexuality
A workers co-operative based in Leeds has been awarded funding from the Big Lottery to produce and distribute a unique animated DVD aimed at parents of teenagers who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or questioning their sexuality.
Leeds Animation Network is starting work on ?Out to the Family?,a 12 minute DVD designed for viewing by individuals, families and groups. It will help to raise awareness and enable family discussion on sexual matters.
Leeds Animation Network is a co-operative specialised in producing and distributing animated films that deal with social and educational issues. The five employees, who have managed the business since 1982, have produced animated films on difficult issues like racism and bullying, equal opportunities, the environment, child protection and bereavement.
As Janis Goodman, a long-standing member of the co-operative explains, ??Out to the Family? is a project we have wanted to produce for years. After several rejected applications to different funders we were very pleased to get lottery money for this important project.
?There is a myth that discrimination is a thing of the past but even while soap operas may feature gay and lesbian characters the reality for many young people involves homophobia and society-wide pressure to be straight. The DVD will act as an aid to improve communications between parents and their children who are or may be gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning.?
Leeds Animation Network will distribute 4000 copies of the DVD to target audiences throughout the country, especially through organisations working with teenagers and families. The DVD, once completed, can be shown to groups, used in training, or distributed to specialised workers. It will be available in the circuit of not-for-profit organisations.
The DVD will be realised with consulting of teenagers and parents as well as Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (FFLAG), the Consortium of LGBT voluntary and community organisations (LGBT Consortium), and others.
