Watch | New doc follows LGBT teens for three years as they come to terms with sexuality
By Will Stroude
A new Australian film dealing with the ongoing struggles of today’s LGBT youth is giving us all the feels today.
The documentary by Suzi Taylor, Love In Full Colour, was filmed over three years and followes the lives and loves of 12 LGBT teenagers as they finish high school and come to terms with their sexuality.
The film sees the teens – who were all told they could not bring same-sex partners to their high school proms – attend Melbourne’s annual ‘Same Sex Formal’ instead, an event organised by local LGBT youth group Minus 18 for those who miss out.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia about his decision to attend the dance, Nick Mackley, who went to an elite private school in Melbourne, says he was verbally and physically abused by other students, and singled out by staff over his sexuality.
“[The teacher] was asking me if I was going to the formal. And I said no, and he said, ‘Well that’s good because if you felt like bringing a male partner, or your boyfriend, they wouldn’t be welcome. You wouldn’t be welcome there with them’.
“The reason that he gave was that it didn’t align with the school’s values and that it would make other people uncomfortable.”
Bisexual teen Stephanie Meacham adds: “I ended up staying at home with my dad while my friends went out – it was really sad.
“Seeing all their photos, they were so happy and having a great time and I just felt as though we’d missed out. We wanted to be able to have that fun night and feel special.”
Get the tissues out and watch the trailer below:
Love In Full Colour premieres in Melbourne on Thursday December 3. For more details about the film visit loveinfullcolour.net. More stories:Wanna kiss the Red Hot model for World AIDS Day?Watch | ‘What would you do if your child was gay?’ People around the world respond