Bent TV is a volunteer organisation encompassing an audio visual production group dedicated to creating engaging visual media to contribute to an inclusive society that affirms and accepts sexual and gender diversity.
Queer Young Thing
QYT: What?
Backed and produced by Bent TV, Queer Young Thing is a new series aimed at younger viewers. The idea behind the special youth show is to support and showcase young LGBTI people on Bent TV and create future program producers.
Hosted by Dylan Adler a different topic is introduced each week which are discussed by LGBTI youth followed by either a film made by them or a vox pop on the topic.
Then there's the ‘elders’ who have more experience on the topic and the youth get to ask them as many questions as they want.
Many support groups have taken part in the show high profile footballer Jason Ball and Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham appear in some of the episodes
QYT: Topics?
QYT: Why?
There are very few places where GLBTI Youth have a public voice. Queer Young Thing offers that opportunity. Nothing in the show is scripted - the Youth can say whatever they like about any topic.
GLBTI Youth have suicide rates four to six times higher than those of other Youth. There are a lot of important discussions about the lives of GLBTI Youth that need to be had – preferably led by youth themselves as in Queer Young Thing.
Bent TV is one of the only visual media organisations dedicated to showing the full breadth of the Queer community.
Having had spotlight programs on people transitioning between genders, the bisexual community and religious queers to name a few.
By becoming a member of Bent TV your support will help maintain and update much needed equipment as well as ongoing studio fees.
Queer Young Thing Episodes
Episode 1 - Religion and Queer Youth
Monday September 02, 2013
Host: Dylan Adler Topic:Religion and Queer Youth
Guests (Youth): Anthony, Sunny, Kassy Guests (Elders): Matt Glover (MGA Counselling Services), Michael Barnett (Aleph Melbourne), Andrew Wheatland (The Spirit Lounge - Joy 94.9)
Segment One: Dylan introduces his youth guests, who discuss their individual experiences of religion, what it means to them, and issues and confrontations they have encountered in following their beliefs.
Segment Two: We watch a movie by Marco Fink from Minus18, Religion and Queer Youth
Segment Three: Our youth guests are joined by a group of elders, who assist in exploring further the panels combined experiences and questions of religion and its meaning to them, and the GLBTI community.
Segment One: Youth panelists Ashley, Sim and Starlady introduce themselves and share how Transitioning relates to them and their lives.
Segment Two: EldersDr Jaco Erasmus, Nate Reid and Roz Ward join the panel to offer their expertise to further dissect, provide support and explanations to raised questions and experiences of transitioning, it's meaning in their work and volunteer roles, and to the GLBTI community.
Segment Three: Further questions and in-depth conversation shared between both our youth and elders panel.
Episode 3 - Social Media & Bullying
Monday September 16, 2013
Host: Dylan Adler Topic: Social Media & Bullying
Guests (Youth): Anthony and Kassy Guests (Elders): Malitha Perera (Headspace), Susan McLean (Cyber Safety Solutions), Nate Reid (Gay & Lesbian Switchboard)
A look at social media and bullying aiming to empower anyone to seize control from those who try to bully them and what you can do to help stop it.
Our youth discuss their interactions and experiences, included are some ‘whoops moments’ which highlight what can happen as a result of placing innocent content onto social media
Our elders explain the common types of bullying; Who’s being bullied, who’s doing the bullying and how bullying can affect an individual. Susan McLean disperses the myth that you can be forever anonymous on the internet and featured throughout the program are various Vox Pops where we ask, "What is the best defence against Internet Bullies?"
Episode 4 - University
Monday September 23, 2013
Host: Dylan Adler Topic:University
Guests (Youth): Arjun, Karly, Emily, Cannon Guests (Elders): Stephen Edwards and Anya Shindler (La Trobe University Queer Peers)
Attending a University may be the first opportunity allowing you to investigate your sexual identity.
Our guests discuss their experiences of university, the support available; explore what the environment at university can achieve for an individual with questions, and considerations should direct GLBTIQ support within a university not be available.
Our guests' conversations are peppered with Vox Pops where we ask, "If science could identify a Gay or Lesbian gene, is that a good or bad thing?"
Episode 5 - Genderqueer
Monday September 30, 2013
Host: Dylan Adler Topic:Genderqueer
Guests (Youth): Nekita, Jax, Sean, Millaa Guests (Elders): Dr Jaco Erasmus (Psychiatrist), Gem de Marco (Genderqueer Australia), Dr Nate Reid (Gay & Lesbian Switchboard)
Our Youth present their personal experiences of being Genderqueer and how they have dealt with challenges which have arisen in their lives. What it is to be Genderqueer? How to consider including family and friends in ones journey? Available support!
As in all Queer Young Thing episodes, we present this week's topic in a personal, constructive, relaxed and supportive manner presented by members of our community who have personal experience, supported by representatives from those actively involved in our community.
Our guests' conversations are peppered with Vox Pops where we ask, "What message would you like to send to Transgender people?" "How far should you compromise yourself to conform to societies expectations?"
Our Youth present their personal experiences of living outside of the boundaries of a major city, the challenges which arise growing up in remote and rural areas of Victoria, and why they felt at times it necessary to keep their sexual diversity from others of their community
The discussions highlight the support available to those living in rural areas, including an app called QueerY available on iTunes.
Our guests' conversations are peppered with excerpts from: Jono's Story, the Think About It Project, by Diversity Shepparton.
The episode concludes by discussing an experience of one of our youth guests who was attacked when she attended high school.
Our Youth present their personal experiences. What causes periods of depression, misconceptions of depression, what events or circumstances they recognise as being triggers, how diversity to the expectations of a local community can affect depression, being diagnosed with depression and taking medication.
Our guests discuss some of the ways they have found which has helped them cope with feeling depressed or sad. Reading, writing things down, being with friends, comic books, playing games, visiting the beach, exercise, doing something enjoyable.
Support options for depression, and direct contact details, are repeatedly talked about and shown on screen during the episode.
Feeling depressed & need to talk to someone about the way you are feeling? - Call Life Line on 13 11 14
Episode 8 - Coming Out
Monday October 21, 2013
Host: Dylan Adler Topic:Coming Out
Guests (Youth): Jono, Jess, Stephanie, Blake Guests (Elders): Kieran Murphy (Out In The Open), Donna Goddard (PFLAG Australia), Cris Todd (Goulburn Valley Pride
Coming Out, is there a wrong way?
Our guests frankly discuss their experience of ‘Coming Out’, including the different ways in which parents and siblings have supported, or not supported, their choice.
Who should you tell first; your parents, your family, your friends, social media?
We hear how children of a same sex couple have stood up for their parents & show a clip from Bisexuality, courtesy of Minus 18.
Have you heard of someone ‘Coming Out’ to their parents that they were straight?
Do parents have a process of their own that they may need time for when being told of a ‘Coming Out’?
Episode 9 - School
Monday October 28, 2013
Host: Dylan Adler Topic:School
Guests (Youth): Lisa, Kayla, Kassy Guests (Elders): Daniel Witthaus (Beyond That's So Gay, John Goodman (Princes Hill Secondary College)
We start on a light note before our guests discuss what they encountered at school, and how they dealt with specific situations when faced with unsupportive environments.
One guest discusses their family where 3 are gay, and uses the opportunity to outline experiences of other siblings, including Sex Education.
Further discussion outlines what some schools are doing within their curriculum to normalise acceptance and understanding of being gay, and how they aim to treat being gay no differently to other curriculum subjects.
Our guests' conversations are peppered with Vox Pops where we ask, "Does everyone need a Gay Best Friend (GBF) or a Lesbian Best Friend (LBF)?"
Episode 10 - Living Healthy
Monday November 11, 2013
Host: Dylan Adler Topic:Living Healthy
Guests (Youth): Lee, Ashley, Cannon Guests (Elders): Adrian Panozzo (Reclink Australia), Jason Ball (Yarra Glen Football Club), Dr George Forgan-Smith (The Healthy Bear)
We hit the ground running to the serenade of building works, by asking what each of our young guests do to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Are there any guarantees: Does having a great body guarantee a healthy lifestyle? Does being vegan guarantee a healthy lifestyle?
What is a healthy lifestyle? Is it only physical health, or are there other important considerations which must be included when thinking of living healthy choices.
How to break free from negative patterns? Have you ever thought of distancing yourself from those around you who do not share your living healthy choices?
Our guests' conversations are peppered with Vox Pops where we ask, "What is your hot tip for Healthy Living?"
Episode 11 - Love, Sex, & Sexual Health
Monday November 18, 2013
Host: Dylan Adler Topic:Love, sex & sexual health
Guests (Youth): Lisa, Kayla, Kassy Guests (Elders): Vikki Ryall (Headspace), Dr George Forgan-Smith (The Healthy Bear), Anoushka Wootton (Drummond Street Services)
Are Love and Sex totally different topics?
What misconceptions are there about love and sex?
What issues do GLBTI youth encounter in sexual health education?
How do you talk to someone about what you will and won't do?
How often do you, and should you, have a sexual health check up?
Who do you, and should you, discuss safe sex and sexual health with?
When did our guests realise they were suffering from Anxiety?
How did their anxiety present itself?
What action did they take to seek help?
Which services did they approach? Did they feel safe?
What actions, or tools, are available to tackle different levels of anxiety?
How common is feeling anxious?
Are some levels of anxiety normal
Our guests' conversations are peppered with excerpts from a film by Mason Jefferies (Courtesy Youth Worx Media), "Self Harm" with Dr George Forgan-Smith
When did our guests realise they were suffering from Anxiety?
How did their anxiety present itself?
What action did they take to seek help?
Which services did they approach? Did they feel safe?
What actions, or tools, are available to tackle different levels of anxiety?
How common is feeling anxious?
Are some levels of anxiety normal
Our guests' conversations are peppered with excerpts from a film by Mason Jefferies (Courtesy Youth Worx Media), "Self Harm" with Dr George Forgan-Smith
If you would like to talk about feelings these programs may have raised for you, you may wish to contact www.switchboard.org.au
WATCH BENT TV ON FRIDAY NIGHTS C31 / DIGITAL 44 @ 10.00pm
