Gay rapper highlights school bullying
British rapper QBoy is to present a schools programme for Channel 4 in which he talks to children who have come out while still at school.
Coming Out To Class is one of a series of programmes in the channel’s Gay Week which starts on February 26th.
QBoy told PinkNews.co.uk,:
“I am happy that this programme has been made as I hope it will shed light on a much ignored issue.
“Homophobia may be banned from our workplaces, but unfortunately it is still rife in the playground.
“I hope the film not only breaks down the average teenager’s residual homophobia, but also instills some degree of confidence in those teens currently at school who associate with being LGBTQ, especially those being bullied as I was.”
Channel 4 is dedicating a 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.”