GAY TO Z
PROGRAMME 2
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In Programme 2 we catch up with Justin, Jen and Bex and meet Holly, Stephen and Kevin.
- Stephen is living with his boyfriend Kevin's family while the boys are looking for a flat together. He left his family home in Liverpool after coming out
- Kevin is very much in love with Stephen and they are looking for a flat together
- Holly is at university in Brighton. She loves it because there are so many other gay people around
- Jen and Bex are finishing university in Durham and will have to say goodbye to each other when Jen leaves to study in France
- Justin has split up with his boyfriend David and is looking to move out of his flat.
This programme looks at the range of different relationships and situations in which LGB young people can find themselves. These can be both good and bad, just as with any other young person, but are often influenced by the levels of homophobia or acceptance shown by those around them.
Jen and Bex are uncomplicatedly in love. Bex was accepted by her mum when she came out, a coming out story very unlike Reem, Jack and Justin's (in Programme 1).
This programme further explores the more difficult side of being LGB if you live in an unsupportive or hostile environment. We hear about Stephen growing up in a tough homophobic family and being made to feel small, depressed and like he had nowhere to go. Justin was thrown out by his family when he came out, and he tells us about moving to a flat where his neighbours would shout homophobic abuse at him, throw things through the letterbox, threaten him and kick his door. Now he is in the middle of a messy break-up with David and has no support from his family.
However, we also see the benefits of living in a supportive and accepting environment. Holly has had the chance to make a new life for herself at university in gay-friendly Brighton, and she wants to stay there forever. There are so many other gay people around that being gay is no big deal. Similarly, now that Stephen has moved in with his boyfriend Kevin's family, he feels relieved. He and Kevin feel so accepted that they are able to walk down the street holding hands without caring what anyone says.
