Filmmaker Connect Series
The Filmmaker Connect Series features deep dive conversations and actionable resources around a particular theme from an UnLonely Film Festival selection. Here you’ll find resources inspired by the film, “SHARE,” highlighting issues around LGBTQ youth well-being. Please enjoy the entire film and conversation with filmmakers, leading advocates, and mental health professionals.
Meet the Panelists
Barna Szász
Ellie Wen
Tim Chau
Pallavi Rudraraju
Emily Skehill
Infographic by MHA
Human Rights Campaign Research Tells Us…
- More than half (56%) of LGBT youth say they are out to their immediate family; a quarter (25%) are out to their extended family.
- From Lambda Legal’s landmark study, When Health Care Isn’t Caring, 73% of transgender respondents and 29% of lesbian, gay and bisexual respondents reported that they believed they would be treated differently by medical personnel because of their LGBTQ status.
- Equally disturbing, 52% of transgender respondents and 9% of lesbian, gay and bisexual respondents reported that they believed they would be refused medical services because of their LGBTQ status.
Mental Health America Research Tells Us…
- A majority of LGBTQ+ people say that they or an LGBTQ+ friend or family member have been threatened or non-sexually harassed (57 percent), been sexually harassed (51 percent), or experienced violence (51 percent) because of their sexuality or gender identity.
- Fifty-nine percent of LGBTQ+ people feel that they have fewer employment opportunities and 50 percent believe they are paid less than non-LGBTQ+ people.
- Thirty-eight percent of transgender people say they have experienced slurs and 28 percent have experienced insensitive or offensive comments because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
- Twenty-two percent of transgender individuals say they have avoided doctors or health care our of concern they would be discriminated against
Trevor Project Research Tells Us…
- Overall, more than 1.8 million LGBTQ youth between the ages of 13 and 24 in the U.S. seriously consider suicide each year
- We estimate that at least 1.2 million LGBTQ youth aged 13-18 in the U.S. seriously consider suicide each year. ○ We further estimate that at least 693,000 LGBTQ youth aged 19-24 in the U.S. seriously consider suicide each year.
- 39% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past twelve months, with more than half of transgender and non-binary youth having seriously considered
- 71% of LGBTQ youth reported feeling sad or hopeless for at least two weeks in the past year
- Less than half of LGBTQ respondents were out to an adult at school, with youth much less likely to disclose their gender identity than sexual orientation
- 2 in 3 LGBTQ youth reported that someone tried to convince them to change their sexual orientation
Engage in a Creative Activity
As the World Health Organization research has shown, and as discussed in Can Art Be Medicine. we know that the arts can be an integral part of improved health outcomes. Please make something with us through Creative Relief or one of the Art Project Ideas from our friends at the Gateway Foundation.
Host Your Own Screening
One of the best ways to activate the power of art and healing with others is through the strength and inspiration that good storytelling offers. This film resonates with us, and we want to share it with the world! You can help us do just that. Click this link for access to the film so that you can share it in your community. You’ll also find more info about the filmmaker, as well as a video that shines a light on some of the themes and ideas that drive the film.
Join Our Film Club
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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR, OTSUKA, AND PARTNERS, MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA & HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN.
