I’m Lydia, my pronouns are she/they, and I’m the Program Coordinator at Out In Schools. I’m also a nature documentarian, animal lover, and storyteller. I am passionate about empowering folks to narrate their stories in their own voice. This is how my journey brought me to Out In Schools, and why our work with youth is so personal and important to me.
I was born and raised in Treaty 6 territory traditionally stewarded by the Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Saulteaux and Nakota Sioux peoples. Growing up as a queer person of colour, I’ve been nervous to open up to my community about my sexuality. There are very few queer Black characters in mainstream media, and their narratives tend to be about being rejected by their family and community. While these experiences are very real, they don’t offer a lot to folks who already feel isolated and hopeless.
While I struggled with my sense of belonging, I found joy and solace working with animals. At one point, I had a job training sea turtles: I would dive, handle turtles, do presentations with them, and get them to stay in place in front of a human audience. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I’ll never forget the wonder of being in nature and realizing I’m a part of it, tangled up in the beautifully messy tree of life.
It was my work with animals that led me to becoming a facilitator with Out In Schools several years ago. I wanted to use my skills working with youth to connect with young 2SLGBTQIA+ folks—particularly racialized kids—and help them navigate an environment that can be so confusing and hostile. When I’m presenting to youth, I always emphasize that there is no ‘correct’ way to be queer. Just like the natural world, our queerness is made up of unique stories, roads less traveled, and marvelous possibilities.
That is why I believe in Out In Schools’ work. We use films and stories by queer people to show youth that they can explore their identities without feeling ashamed or alone. Our stories are powerful—they imagine a better world into being. These are your stories, too, and they can change the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. Help us bring empowering queer content to schools and communities across BC by donating $100 today!
But it’s not just 2SLBTQIA+ youth who need our support. Last week, the Out In Schools team visited students and educators in Prince George. Educators there told us they were frustrated with the political atmosphere in the community, and felt a lack of support from administrators and colleagues. One queer educator expressed a palpable sense of fear. This is consistent with what we’ve heard from queer educators across BC: they are increasingly afraid to be seen by administrators, students, and parents as ‘pushing an agenda,’ often just by virtue of being who they are.
Your support means the world to queer and trans youth, who deserve to see their stories—your stories—on screen. I’m so glad you are here.
In solidarity, Lydia Alemu (she/they) Out In Schools Program Coordinator
Content warning: The post discusses religious trauma and institutional discrimination against trans youth.
My name is Tea, I use she/they pronouns, and I’m here with my mom Michelle (she/her). We’re so excited to introduce ourselves to you today, on the International Day of Pink: a day to speak out against discrimination and bullying directed at 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
This is the story of how Out In Schools changed our lives.
We are a mixed-race family from Ladner, BC. I was assigned male at birth, but as a kid, I always preferred dolls to action figures. I was obsessed with fantasy and mythical creatures in general. I especially loved Monster High dolls—so chic, ghoulish, and unique—and skipping around in my mermaid tails and fairy wings!
At some point, I began attending a Catholic elementary school, where we had to wear gendered uniforms. It made me realize just how uncomfortable I was being perceived as a boy. I would spend recesses in the back of the field, sitting alone and daydreaming about walking through school with long, flowing hair reaching all the way down to my uniform skirt.
One summer, our family decided to try something out: I would go to summer camps with my new name and use she/her pronouns. I wore my hair in dreadlocks down to my shoulders, I dressed however I wanted, and, in this new environment, no one questioned any of it. For the first time in my life, I actually felt comfortable in my body—it was like finally coming home after a long trip.
That fall, our family expressed to my school that I would be attending class as a girl. The school responded with a letter from their lawyer. They demanded that I get assessed by religious practitioners and Catholic doctors. I wasn’t allowed to wear the girls’ uniform. One of the school’s pastors—an adult I trusted and our family was close to—sat me down and told me that my transition was against God’s wishes.
I spent a lot of that year crying and heartbroken. I was starting to believe that my dream—to be known as who I truly am—would never happen.
After months of jumping through hoops, we decided enough was enough. I left the school, and our family filed a human rights complaint against them.
Around that time, I saw my first Out In Schools presentation. I was amazed by the films the facilitators showed us: they were so different from all the sensationalized stories of despair that I’d gotten used to seeing in mainstream media. Instead, these films depicted queer youth as complex, willful humans. They captured both the nuances and wholeness of our identities.
I also got to know some of the amazing facilitators who work with Out In Schools. It’s incredible how their warmth opens up the classroom and invites everyone in. The energy they bring is so valuable, especially for trans and queer youth who don’t have access to information and support. When a youth makes a personal connection to an adult who shares their identities, it makes us feel like that could be us, too. A switch flips on: I can have a community, and I’m going to be okay!
Fostering hope and safety in the lives of trans and queer youth: this is what Out In Schools does best. It’s the only program of its kind in BC to create a non-judgmental space for all kids to ask questions and get insight into the big, beautiful world of gender and sexuality. This is the kind of work that creates cultural change, that builds connection and empathy across differences.
If you’re feeling anxious and scared, I am too—we don’t know what the federal election will bring. By the time we find out, it may already be too late. Trans and queer youth deserve to know that we’ll have their backs no matter who comes into power. This month, every donation you make will be matched dollar for dollar up to $12,500, so that 2SLGBTQIA+ youth can continue to access life-affirming resources provided by Out In Schools.
The time to act is now. Join us to keep Out In Schools in schools!
In solidarity, Tea (she/they) and Michelle (she/her) Out In Schools supporters
Pictured above: Out In Schools facilitator Ava (left) and Education Director Gavin (right) after a presentation.
Happy Trans Day of Visibility! My name is Ava, I use they/them pronouns, and I am a facilitator with the Out In Schools program. I’m so excited to share my story with you on this special day.
I grew up in Comox Valley, a small rural town on Vancouver Island. There wasn’t a lot of diversity in my community. While I rarely experienced outright homophobia or transphobia, I didn’t learn about these identities either. I got the sense that being trans or queer was a very rare thing.
As a kid, I kept to myself a lot. I loved reading and writing stories. I would spend all day designing characters who were figuring themselves out with the help of their friends and community. These characters were shy and confused, like me, except I didn’t have anyone who really understood me.
I knew something was different about me, but I lacked the language to describe it. I also didn’t have any role models on screen or in real life, who I felt truly represented me.
So much of my childhood and adolescence was spent in deep self-reflection. I spent years journaling and hours upon hours on social media, scrolling through other people’s experiences with gender and sexuality just to find myself in their stories. I felt like I needed to absolutely nail down my identity before I could share it with anyone. I came out as queer at the end of high school, but it took another year or so before I came out as trans.
I am currently studying environmental science at UBC, and for the first time in my life, I have access to affirming trans and queer spaces. I realize now what I’ve been missing all this time: a safe space to explore and experiment without having it all figured out. It’s so freeing to feel seen and accepted, to move through the world not having to explain myself.
That is the work Out In Schools does: creating space for people to see and be themselves. As a facilitator, I see it as my responsibility to be an example for trans kids, and to show them that they can live their best lives.
Today, as we celebrate our trans and gender-diverse community, we must remind ourselves that ‘visibility’ is a double-edged sword. In the current political climate, politicians are using trans identity as a talking point, dehumanizing us and revoking our rights in the process. I’m terrified for trans folks in the United States, and I’m deeply worried about what the upcoming election holds for my community here in Canada.
If you consider yourself an ally to trans people, now is the time to step up. I’m calling on you to mobilize your own communities and speak out against anti-trans rhetoric and policies. Show up to protests, to the voting booth, to your local mutual aid organizing meeting. Act in solidarity with us.
We must fight for trans youth. The safety and fundamental rights of trans people are under severe attack. Now more than ever, we need to show trans youth that they are not alone. In the face of overwhelming fear, trans youth deserve to know that they will live joyful, flourishing lives—to have hope.
That is the impact of Out In Schools. Our team works tirelessly to connect with trans youth. We continue our work making classrooms safer and more inclusive, despite the ever-mounting threat to our own mission. We can’t do this without your help.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be bringing you more stories from Out In Schools participants and facilitators. We will also announce our Spring Fundraising Campaign very soon on April 9, International Day of Pink. Stay tuned!
Thank you for being here. Together, we can create the future that trans youth deserve.
Ava (they/them) Out In Schools facilitator
International Transgender Day of Visibility takes place every year on March 31 to celebrate trans and gender-diverse people, and raise awareness on systemic anti-trans discrimination.
Grade 5-7: Uplifting and supporting trans and gender-diverse people
Grade 8-10: Diverse cultural experiences of gender diversity
Grade 11-12: Complex representations of trans experiences by trans people
We recommend watching 1 short film per day and debriefing as a group using our associated Lesson Plans. At the end of the week, ask students to reflect on their favourite film and how they can make their school more welcoming for people of all gender identities and expressions!
Grades 5-7
The Litle Piratemaid (6 min)
Marooned in a mermaid’s lagoon, a young pirate makes an unlikely friendship and discovers there’s more than one way to sail the seven seas
In this documentary, eleven-year-old Ho’onani dreams of leading the boys hula troupe at her Honolulu school with the support of her teacher, a proud Native Hawaiian māhū, or transgender woman.
Long ago, four extraordinary individuals of dual male and female spirit brought the healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii. The name of their leader was Kapaemahu.
Schuyler Bailar is a decorated swimmer who was recruited to Harvard as a female athlete and transitioned while continuing to compete and advocate for trans inclusion.
If you made use of these resources, we would love to hear how your lessons went and any other feedback! Get in touch with us at info@outinschools.com.
November 13-19 marks Transgender Week of Awareness which leads into the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20. During this time, we are called to bring attention to issues faced by transgender and gender diverse communities. Awareness is one aspect which can bring us closer to liberation, but it cannot be without action and a commitment to end the violence against Two Spirit, Transgender, and gender diverse people.
This Transgender Day of Remembrance, Out In Schools invites educators and students to reflect on the ways which transgender, nonbinary, Two Spirit and otherwise gender diverse people experience the world, and how you, as allies, might come together to create safer and more celebratory spaces for gender diversity in your school and community. Educators can access our Film Catalogue to share short films in educational settings.
From Danny Lybbert (he/they), Out In Schools Program Manager:
When I started as a facilitator with Out In Schools back in 2016, our presentations were primarily focused on building awareness of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community; the majority of our time was spent on defining terms and explaining how various identities exist across spectrums. Our approach was based on the knowledge that hate often stems from ignorance and the assumption that awareness would therefore decrease hate. And, for many years, this assumption was correct; in 2018, SARAVYC found that students at schools who received an Out In Schools presentation experienced lower levels of harassment, discrimination, and exclusion.
However, the landscape has changed, due in part to the rise of polarizing social media algorithms on apps like Tiktok, Instagram and Twitter, and an increase in mis/disinformation campaigns. Where once, visibility helped our cause, it now can also have the opposite effect; trans visibility is a double edged sword which sometimes gives us access, and increasingly, makes us targets of hate.
Awareness is a necessary first step in creating social change and moving society towards acceptance, but it can’t stop there. Trans equality and trans liberation are essential in the fight for gender equality and equity – they are synonymous with supporting people of all genders to express themselves freely. For generations, the existence of gender diversity has been actively suppressed, largely by the forces of colonization and white supremacy. The resurgence of these identities is critical to creating communities where all of us can thrive.
When the Out In Schools team travels to schools throughout the various communities in British Columbia, the majority of students know what basic terms like queer and trans mean, but language and terminology don’t build empathy – stories do.
How do we tell our stories when people are not willing to listen?
We need you. We need you to help share our stories.
Out In Schools uses personal narrative and short films as a way to engage our audiences in developing a deeper understanding of who we are and how to support us.
Thanks to the transgender ancestors and activists who came before me, I have access to the language I need to understand myself.
Effective awareness showcases both our struggles and our celebrations, and can move people to support us in our right to exist.
Positive and plentiful narratives can help trans folks have hope for the future. Affirming and authentic representation of our stories can help humanize our experiences, and build empathy and understanding.
Awareness is where our work begins, not where it ends.
To our cisgender allies: you can use your privilege to offset our vulnerability; when my cisgender friends and colleagues take on the work of introducing and explaining pronouns at meetings, correcting gender mistakes, or ensuring that I can safely access a bathroom, it makes it easier for me to exist.
I have been so heartened by the work of educators across BC, many of them cisgender allies, shaping school environments where trans students feel valued and protected. These allies continue to advocate for inclusive policies in the face of direct backlash, holding firm to the belief that all youth deserve a safe, supportive learning environment where they can be their authentic selves.
This Transgender Day of Remembrance, we encourage you to keep the learning alive and ongoing with your students. Seek out stories, check out our Film Catalogue, and explore the resources below.
If you’re an educator, consider using our curated film playlists to start conversations and explore the topic of gender identity in your classroom. You can also find additional resources below.
If you made use of these resources, we would love to hear how your lessons went and any other feedback! Get in touch with us at info@outinschools.com.
My name is Gavin (they/them), and I am the Education Director at Out On Screen. After nearly a decade with the Out In Schools program, I found a renewed sense of purpose in my work when I became a parent a year and a half ago.
This is my story.
I was born in 1987 in a small town called Pincourt, Quebec. I grew up a tomboy, excluded from sports because I was a “girl” and excluded by other girls for my baggy clothes and hand-me-downs. I was bullied for existing outside of expected gender norms and had homophobic slurs thrown at me in hallways. The message I received as a young person was clear—queerness is shameful, can only be expressed in secret, and should be suppressed.
I had no language to describe my queer experiences. Going to school in the ’90s and early 2000s, there was no mention or knowledge of queer attraction or gender in classrooms.
This is how I know that the work we do at Out In Schools is essential.
Since its founding in 2004, Out In Schools has used film and facilitated dialogue to catalyze compassionate and life-affirming conversations around sexual orientation and gender identity. When a young person receives an Out In Schools presentation, they learn that who they are is perfectly okay, that they are allowed to grow into their fullest self, and that they deserve to feel unconditional love and belonging. An Out In Schools presentation also creates a brave space for youth to ask questions, practice listening and empathy, and shift behaviors.
Out In Schools facilitator Phoebe (left) presents to a class.
Hear what an educator had to say after an Out In Schools presentation:
One of my students is a trans woman, and she had never met an adult trans person in her life so she was very excited, and said she felt seen. That warmed my heart – an important moment for a great kid.
This is the kind of environment I wish I had growing up and that I hope my own child will have regardless of their identity or orientation. Imagine the difference that robust Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) education would have made to your childhood and those of your 2SLGBTQIA+ peers.
If you have seen the news lately, you will know that anti-queer and anti-trans sentiment is pervasive right now. Anti-drag protests are disrupting kid-friendly community programs, homophobic and transphobic legislation are being proposed and passed into law, and numerous groups are organizing to remove life-affirming SOGI education from schools.
To our entire community, this is cause for concern. Scapegoating the queer community in times of uncertainty is a conservative tactic we have seen before. When we hear threats to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, we take action.
Today is the International Day of Pink, a day started to combat homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools. We do this work year-round through the Out In Schools program.
This year alone, Out In Schools has already reached 5,919 youth, educators, and parents with the affirming, nuanced, and positive stories that are so scarce in the media today.There is a hunger for our programming, and we are working hard to meet this demand.
Gavin (second from the left) poses with four Out In Schools facilitators at a school in front of a rainbow staircase.
We wouldn’t be able to do this work without the activists and allies that support our work through their donations. Individual donations are the second largest source of revenue for our work at Out On Screen, after grants from the public sector. Individuals like yourself help us to share joy, reduce stigma, and foster safer spaces for queer youth to be themselves. If you are interested in becoming a donor, visit our Donate page or get in touch with our team at donorservices@outonscreen.com.
Thank you for taking the time to read about why Out In Schools means so much to me as an educator and parent, and thank you for helping us make a difference for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Image from Ur Aska (2019) directed by Myra Hild.
Gavin, Danny, Avery, and Charlie share what Trans Day of Visibility means to them and recommend four films illuminating different parts of the trans experience that you can watch online now.
For the first time, I felt real.
Growing up, I didn’t know it was possible to be anything other than what the doctors told my parents I was when I was born. I always felt “tomboyish”; I loved being outdoors, playing sports, and wearing baggy clothes. I always felt like I didn’t quite fit, but lacked the language to describe how I felt and didn’t see representations of transgender people in the media or in my communities.
I remember hearing the word “genderqueer” for the first time when I was 18; it struck a chord that resonated so strongly in me that, all of a sudden, for the first time, I felt real. Gender-queer. Queer as instrange, odd, different. Queer as in my gender.
Transgender Day of Visibility means getting to exist as I am, and, by virtue of being myself openly, offering glimmers of possibility and permission for others to exist outside of what was expected of them or who the world told them they were supposed to be.
Gavin (they/them) Education Director
Gavin recommends Ur Aska (2019), dir. Myra Hild
Ur Aska is a Danish animated short, and presents a beautiful allegory on transition and explores how love can prevail even as our relationships with others might change. If you’re an educator, you can create an account to access all Out In Schools films and lesson plans for free. Please use your school-based email address.
Being authentic to ourselves is itself an act of protest
My name is Danny, and my pronouns are he/him and they/them. I am a queer, non-binary, trans man. I conceptualize my gender as being near enough to the “man” box that I’m comfortable with being perceived as such, but far enough from the box to have an experience of gender distinct from binary men. To me, Trans Day of Visibility is about being my true self, out in the open.
There are risks and barriers that come with being visibly trans; being authentic to ourselves is itself an act of protest. It’s also about showing (and seeing) that it’s possible to be trans and have a life filled with happiness and love. There is so much to being trans that we so rarely get to see because the few depictions of us in the media are so often centered on tragedy. Trans Day of Visibility is an opportunity to highlight the joy and magic of our community, and all the amazing things folks are doing.
Danny (he/they) Out In Schools Program Coordinator
Danny recommends A Typical Fairytale (2018), dir. Annette Reilly
My film recommendation is A Typical Fairytale, written by non-binary filmmaker Jess McLeod and starring young genderfluid actor Ameko Eks Mass Carroll. It’s a cute, quirky short about a young couple, their child’s divergence, and their decision to love and support their Prince despite their fears. If you’re an educator, you can create an account to access all Out In Schools films and lesson plans for free. Please use your school-based email address.
I saw all the possibilities of who I could be
When I was younger, the world was so big.
The big adults bombarded me with “possibilities” for my “potential”. And when I was younger, I did dream big—but those dreams slowly shrank as I grew. I didn’t see how “someone like me” could simply exist, let alone be in community with others like myself.
And then I found Transgender Day of Visibility. I saw so many different people’s existence. I was exposed to so many ways of being! I saw their potential, and I felt in community.
On Transgender Day of Visibility, I saw all the possibilities of who I could be while being true to myself in all aspects.
Avery (they/them) Out In Schools Program Coordinator
Avery recommends Meet the Transgender NCAA Swimmer from Harvard produced by the Olympics
My film recommendation is the short documentary Meet The Transgender Swimmer From Harvard, which highlights Schuyler Bailar’s incredible journey to becoming the first openly transgender athlete to compete at an NCAA level. Watch this video on Youtube.
Life has been everything I was told I couldn’t have
I grew up lonely and spent hours in front of the mirror looking for ways I could look more like a boy. It wasn’t until seeing conversations about puberty blockers in the media in 2017 that I dared to dream of what my life could have been like if I’d experienced my adolescence today.
Later that year, I was attending a queer film festival when a handsome man talked to me, and over our little chat, disclosed that he was a trans man. That was it. That was all I needed for my life to change forever.
I realized I could be the man I had been hiding all my life from everyone but myself. I could be proud, I could be out, I could feel safe, I could be happy, and I could even be handsome! Since that day, life has been everything I was told it couldn’t be: a journey filled with love, freedom and, growth. And it was made possible by the visibility of others who’d gone on this journey before me.
Charlie (he/they) Artistic Director
Charlie recommends Disclosure (2020), dir. Sam Feder
I think everyone needs to watch Disclosure, an incredible, eye-opening documentary about the history of trans representation in Hollywood featuring trans artists and filmmakers. What people know and believe about trans people is informed primarily from what they see in the media, and trans representation in media is full of tropes and harmful narratives. Watch this film on Netflix and check out the many toolkits and discussion guides on their website to see how you can advocate for trans people in your community, school, or workplace.
International Transgender Day of Visibility takes place every year on March 31st and celebrate trans people, bringing awareness to trans experiences. Founded by activist Rachel Candall in 2009, this day specifically focuses on celebrating trans people, trans community, and trans joy.
Stories about trans people and experiences in film, TV, and media oftentimes focus on tragedy and violence as well as harmful misrepresentations and stereotypes. However, as you see in these personal accounts and films, the trans experience is so much brighter and broader than what is shown in the mainstream. Trans lives deserve to be visible in their entirety, and we invite you to join us in continuing to share and hear stories from trans individuals and artists.
The media we engage in shapes our culture and perception of the world around us. Despite an increase in positive representation of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community primarily due to commercial interest, queer folks are still underrepresented in the media. As an audience, we are subjected to queer baiting (the practice of hinting at or mimicking queerness without genuine representation), or queer coded characters who are far-too-often cis and/or white, without broader, authentic representation. The pervasiveness of heteronormativity and cisnormativity on and behind the screen reinforces and exacerbates harmful misconceptions. Authentic visibility however, validates and empowers sexual and gender minorities.
The work done by the award-winning Out In Schools program empowers the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, particularly young people, through visibility and positive representation on screen. Film is a powerful educational tool that teaches us that we have the power to shape our stories. Out In Schools Program Coordinator Danny Laybbet (he/they) says, “by interacting with queer film, they get to see themselves reflected. They get to see possibilities for what they can be.” Program Coordinator, Avery Shannon (they/them), acknowledges that, students today know far more about queer issues than youth in previous generations. Thus, the team strives to meet the audience where they are. Working with Out In Schools since 2014, Education Director Gavin Somers (they/them) has firsthand experience of the impact having conversations about queer issues earlier on has for youth. After presenting to an engaged high school, a group of youth spoke to Gavin to say they attended an Out In Schools presentation a few years previous and, as a result, the youth knew queer lexicon and even spoke up to share their own stories. Reaching youth early and often is key to the program’s success. “You don’t have to do that unlearning [later in life],” says Gavin, when asked about what difference reaching younger audiences makes. “Because you’re provided access to tools and representation early on.”
Out In Schools presentations start with the opening question, “how would your story change the world?” before sharing films that showcase authentic queer representation. For many kids, it is the first time seeing themselves on screen. The presentation is structured to be relatable and geared to the audience, such as not showing films with too much jargon or complicated plots. Films selected for each presentation are age and grade appropriate, to enhance relatability and understanding. The team also factors in who is presenting. For example, if all facilitators are cis, they will showcase trans stories because the facilitators themselves will have an opportunity to share their own experiences alongside the films. Out In Schools also presents at corporate offices where the conversation is based around supporting adults as they unlearn misconceptions about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community perpetuated by the media and learn to step into allyship both in the office and in their wider communities.
As a youth, I never had a chance to see an Out In School presentation. Instead, a man spoke at my school about conversion therapy. As a queer teen, this interaction reinforced shame, which is why the work done by Out In Schools is integral for transforming lives by showing that queerness is worth celebrating. In addition, the power of visibility allows students to see that they are not alone. The films reaffirm that their presence in the world matters; they matter. Even more important, presenters and films show the power of exploring queer joy as contagious and transformative mediums. Danny shares that “more recently I’ve been really loving the celebration rather than tolerance aspect of life. We’re past the point of just needing to accept. Well, like, yeah, you need to accept trans people. But also that being trans is good.” Each of us can carve a space for ourselves and shape our world.
Discussions about 2SLGBTQIA+ issues are now a part of the BC curriculum however, the Out In Schools program is unique by showcasing films that uplift the lived queer experience. Out In Schools presentations are a continuously flowing conversation, where questions and discussions lead to films, and films spark new questions and audience engagements. These experiences are empowering for youth, educators, and employees, and they move participants to action. The goal is that they continue to have conversations and promote safer, more inclusive spaces after Out In Schools departs. Allies develop empathy and learn how to use their visibility and power to conduct deliberate allyship. Meanwhile, queer folks gain a sense of belonging to a community. The films that are especially meaningful for Out In School’s staff are Meet the Transgender NCAA Swimmer from Harvard (Schuyler Bailar), Kapaemahu, Wendy’s Story aka The Healer, and Ur Aska.
Book a presentation with Out In Schools and empower queer folks in your community. For an extensive list of educational resources, access the Out In Schools website.
On August 15, during the Vancouver Queer Film Festival, we are collaborating with Out In Schools to deliver a presentation so attendees can witness the work done by the program firsthand. The Out In Schools team will share short films, present content, and engage viewers in a discussion about queer representation in media and allyship. Register for the presentation today and check out the rest of the Festival programme online!
Written by Miranda Rutty, Out In Schools Program Coordinator
At the end of February, I had the pleasure of travelling with an Out In Schools facilitator called Meika, to bring films and dialogues to classrooms in Duncan, BC. It was a short, 4-day tour mostly in the Cowichan Valley, with a quick trip to Brentwood Bay.
On the first day of our tour, we were at Cow High. We had a meeting with the GSA, followed by two presentations for the entire school. The GSA was very sweet, and students said they feel rather safe at school which is always good to hear. The teacher sponsor pulled me aside to say that although he is glad to hear they feel safe, he knows and has witnessed the amount of work that must be done. The presentations were logistically challenging, as the school did not have large speakers for their gym, and the space was HUGE. Teachers were keen to step in to help, and Meika and I did great projecting our voices. Regardless of tech issues, the response from students was really positive. Post presentation, we were greeted by a handful of queer youth who were emotional, and so glad to see us there.
Meika (left) and Miranda (right) in Duncan, BC
We ended up being invited to a community resource for queer youth, and it was RAD. It was mostly filled with youth who were from Cow High, but the space was totally different. It was run by queer elders and it seemed like an endearing, genuinely safe space. We watched fun, longer films during this session and some of the youth were so happy they wept the entire time. I hope to continue conversations with the organizers in supporting their space further.
The next day we were at Queen Margaret’s School. In the morning we spoke with the boarding school staff, enjoying a fair amount of dialogue, fantastic questions, and reflections. I am confident that the staff took our time together very seriously and continued the conversation to apply to their day to day work lives. In the afternoon, we spoke to students, who had a similar feeling of interest and involvement. They had excellent questions and were very attentive. Overall, this school experience was wonderful, but Meika and I did reflect on how stark the difference was in access between Cow High and Queen Margaret’s, given that they serve the same community. One thing I love about Out In Schools is the program’s flexibility, ensuring that we can reach all students, regardless of socioeconomic background.
The last school in the valley kept us on our toes! This visit was an example to me of how having conversations about LGBT2Q+ issues needs to be an ongoing discussion, and that discussion needs to be initiated by adults in the room. Our presentations were challenging, but that’s okay, its all part of a learning process for us as presenters! I spoke to the Principal afterwards and had a great conversation about ways to improve the narrative going forward. When we met with the GSA, we felt refreshed by the conversations we had with the youth. They were lovely, hopeful, and hungry to be better represented in their school and community.
On the last day of our tour, we traveled to Brentwood Bay to present at the local Indigenous school. This was an important visit for so many reasons, and was certainly a unique opportunity for Meika and myself, two indigifemmes, to really deepen our connection to the content and the youth taking part. We were able to present to smaller groups, encouraging deeper and more meaningful conversations with the students. It was refreshing to see how our presentation has shifted over the last year thanks to my colleague Keara and her role as our Indigenous Content Lead, and how many films we have to directly reflect two-spirit stories.
Miranda presenting at Queen Margaret’s school
This tour, like all tours, was extremely diverse and helped my team and I to reflect on why the work we do is so critical. As a city queer, I often take for granted how much queer space exists for me, forgetting that a one-hour ferry ride away, life can look extremely different for queer youth. I hope that our visit inspired young folks to reflect on how their stories are valuable, needed, and shape the world around them. With continued dedication to these communities, our relationship with the places we visit flourishes, enabling us to return time and time again with new stories to share.
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