Queer youth on screen

Wear it Purple and the Glisten Project have announced the launch of a collaborative film project aimed at queer youth.

Rainbow Reel will focus on the stories and experiences of same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people.

“It is still in the very early planning phase, but I think it is gearing up to be an exciting project,” Glisten project officer, Bryn Hutchinson said.

“The planning is being done completely by youth and I think it is always best practice to get the voice and energy of young people to drive this sort of project.”

Wear it Purple’s Scott Williams, who is 19 years old, said he was excited to be involved.

“I think this gives young people the chance to be involved in something bigger than themselves, and to share and explore their own stories and experiences,” he said.

Wear it Purple was started last year by university and high school students, after hearing reports that six young queer people in the United States had committed suicide in a very short period of time.

This year’s annual Wear it Purple Day is on September 2, and people everywhere are encouraged to wear purple on that date to raise awareness of the heightened suicide risk of young GLTBI people.

The Glisten Project has been working with young people for the past 16 years providing support, training and education to young people and service providers in Sydney’s St George and Sutherland areas.

INFO: facebook.com/therainbowreel or www.wearitpurple.org