GHP Supports Salesforce Event
The Gay Happiness Project recently supported a Salesforce event ‘Now You See Me’ on LGBT+ visibility in the media.
In fact our very own Chris Samsa was on the panel, hosted by television broadcaster and the BBC's first Director of Creative Diversity June Sarprong OBE. Other panellists included the BBC’s new Head of Inclusion and Diversity, Yasir Mirza, and Jeffrey Ingold, Head of Media at Stonewall.
In a wide-ranging discussion, June Sarprong invited the panel to reflect on how LGBT+ visibility - or lack of it - had been transformative in their youth. On the positive side, the first gay kiss on EastEnders was impactful, as had the original Queer As Folk on Channel 4, whereas negative imagery and reporting around the AIDS crisis in the 80s and 90s had created stress and anxiety around identity and coming out.
The question of authentic visibility arose, along with the challenges of lumping lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, trans people, and people from different ethnic backgrounds together. The ideal destination is a place where different colours of ‘gay’ in the media become naturally integrated across all types of programming, but the consensus was that’s a long way off.
Social media was also framed in positive and negative terms. While we spoke about the twin issues of disconnection and loneliness often expressed by participants in the safety of the Gay Happiness Project, the positive aspects of social media which provide a sense of community to marginalised LGBT+ youth, who did not previously have easy access to information and support.
The event, held at the beautiful lofty heights of the Salesforce Tower in the City, raised over £6,000 for Stonewall.
The Gay Happiness Project is an 8-week group training programme based on mindfulness and life-skills. The spring course starts on 11th March at 6.30 near Baker Street tube station.
Tickets are available HERE