Channel 4 podcast for gay education week

By Amy Bourke • February 27, 2007 - 11:59

Channel 4 is dedicating this week of its morning Education schedule to programming about gay issues for teenagers.

9 Comments on Channel 4 podcast for gay education week

Gay rapper QBoy will be introducing two podcasts for Channel 4 that offer support and advice to gay teenagers.

The podcasts, which are part of Channel 4's gay teen Sexuality Awareness week, will focus on the issues of coming out.

The first will discuss the family, comparing the motivations and experiences of three young teens coming out to their families.

The second will examine coming out at school, with contributors sharing advice on how to create a supportive environment for gay teens.

QBoy, the UK's leading gay rapper, supplies many of his own views on the issues gay teens have to contend with.

QBoy told Pinknews.co.uk in August 2006 how he was bullied in the playground throughout his school life for preferring to play with girls than play football.

He said: "Later when in college I was ready to express myself by being excessively loud and gay and in your face."

Channel 4 is dedicating this week of its morning Education schedule to programming about gay issues for teenagers.

Other programmes include a drama exploring the issues facing teens who have to adapt to the changing family unit, called Mum's Gone Gay, and My Big Gay Prom, a documentary following a group of gay students organising the UK's first gay prom.

Commissioning Editor for Channel 4 Education Deborah Ward said:

"The passing of legislation in 2005 to allow same-sex marriages has a huge impact on young gay people.

"Gay Week will explore the issues around gay relationships and romance, and hopefully create better understanding - by all teenagers - of what it is to be a young gay or lesbian teenager in today's world, as well as examine what further support is required to truly put gay relationships on an equal footing with straight relationships."

The podcast is available exclusively on http://www.channel4radio.com.

Further resources for gay teenagers, encouraging greater participation to raise awareness on the subject can be found at http://www.channel4.com/gayteen

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