Growing Up Gay Explained

Director:Aoife Kelleher
Company:Crossing the Line Films
Country:Ireland
Language:English
Num Episodes:2
Executive Producer:John Murray
Producer:Anna Rodgers
Editor:Colm O'Brien
Location:Around Ireland
Network:RTÉ One

Growing Up Gay was a groundbreaking[1] two-part documentary series broadcast on RTÉ One, which began on Monday 19 April 2010 at 9.35pm (after the main evening news). It explored the experiences of the first generation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people growing up in an Ireland where it was legal to be themselves.[2] Filmed over 18 months, it was made by Crossing the Line Films with the ongoing support and advice of Ireland's national organisation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans young people, BeLonG To.[3] It featured LGBT school-goers, Muslims, and young people facing persecution in their hometowns across Ireland.[4]

RTÉ courted controversy by recommending that the documentary be suitable for viewing by "mature audiences" only, despite its stars all being teenagers. There was also a delay in the appearance of the second episode on RTÉ player.[5]

Growing Up Gay was nominated for "Event of the Year" at the GALAs (Gay and Lesbian Awards).[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: Gay Youth on RTÉ . Gay Community News . GCN . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130206134516/http://www.gcn.ie/Gay_Youth_on_RTE . 6 February 2013 .
  2. News: Growing Up Gay. RTÉ Television. Raidió Teilifís Éireann.
  3. News: Crossing the Line Explores 'Growing Up Gay'. Irish Film and Television Network. IFTN. 15 April 2010. 15 April 2010.
  4. News: Telling dad I'm gay was really tough, but he's fine now, says teenage star of new RTÉ series. Aoife. Anderson. Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. 14 April 2010. 14 April 2010.
  5. News: RTÉ: Growing Up Gay unsuitable for teens. Gaelick. 27 April 2010. 27 April 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100501003351/http://www.gaelick.com/2010/04/rte-growing-up-gay-unsuitable-for-teens/8476/. 1 May 2010. dmy-all.
  6. News: Festival RoundUp 'Ottoman', '140' & 'Growing Up Gay'. Irish Film and Television Network. IFTN. 8 September 2010. 8 September 2010.