Out On Screen Announces Departure of Education Director Gavin K Somers

Out On Screen regretfully announces the departure of Gavin K Somers (they/them) from their role as Education Director, effective August 14, 2025.

Gavin first joined Out On Screen over ten years ago as a facilitator for the Out In Schools program in 2014. They later served as Program Coordinator and Manager, before becoming Education Director in 2020. Prior to the pandemic, Gavin worked with several cohorts of dedicated staff and facilitators to grow the Out In Schools program to reach every school district in British Columbia; expand and customize presentations to youth in Grades 5 and up, educators, support staff, and parents; and establish Out In Schools as a trusted and quality educational institution in the province.

As Education Director, Gavin stewarded the Out In Schools programs through the early pandemic and transitioned the program to virtual delivery for the first time in early 2020. After returning from parental leave in early 2023, Gavin led a major update of the Out In Schools curriculum, moving it away from a prior focus on 2SLGBTQIA+ language and terminology to an inquiry-based learning approach that encourages open-ended reflection and understanding of gender and sexuality. In 2024, Gavin was instrumental in launching and curating The Future is Queer, a series of free, dedicated school group and youth screenings at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival in collaboration with The Cinematheque. They have also built and stewarded key relationships with the Aune Foundation, the McGrane Pearson Foundation, and many other supporters of the Out In Schools program.

In the face of escalated attacks in recent years on trans and queer people and specifically against Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity education, Gavin has led important public advocacy and education work through coalition-building and a series of press releases and media appearances, including leading up to the most recent provincial election in fall 2024.

Hear from Gavin about their time at Out On Screen:

“I am humbled by the lessons I’ve learned and the ways I’ve grown alongside the Out In Schools program over the past decade. From delivering workshops to working closely with queer and trans youth, supporting community events, and being part of the film festival, every experience has left a mark on me.

One of the greatest honours has been nurturing several cohorts of Out In Schools facilitators—watching 2SLGBTQIA+ youth grow confidently into themselves and go on to pursue careers as counselors, social workers, educators, researchers, and advocates. Many have shared that their time with OIS gave them the skills and courage to show up as their full, authentic selves—and I couldn’t be prouder of the ripple effect this work continues to have.

I truly believe in the leadership of Danny Lybbert and Lydia Alemu (Out In Schools’ Program Manager and Program Coordinator, respectively), and have full confidence that they will carry this program forward with the care, creativity, and conviction it deserves. Out On Screen’s mission—to illuminate, celebrate and transform 2SLGBTQIA+ lives through film, education, and dialogue—feels more urgent than ever.

This work has never happened in isolation. It relies on the continued support of our allies: partner organizations, donors, educators, and policymakers. If we are to build a world where queer and trans youth not only survive but thrive, we need you alongside us—championing this work every step of the way.

I often say that Out In Schools doesn’t just impact the youth in classrooms—it shapes those of us who deliver it, and everyone we go on to meet. What happens between worlds changes all the worlds. Through this process, we move together toward collective liberation.”

On behalf of the staff and board of Out On Screen, we sincerely thank Gavin for all their years of dedicated service to the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community and our province’s educators, parents, and youth, and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.