Help us support mental health of LGBTQIA+ young people!

Acting Out – On Screen 2022 Fundraiser

A school holiday film program providing social connection and creative expression opportunities to LGBTQIA+ youth aged 12-17 years

Stigma and discrimination against LGBTQIA+ young people remain significant problems, and young people who identify as LGBTQIA+ are at greater risk of mental health issues and bullying. While there are services that provide one-on-one counselling for LGBTQIA + young people, there are limited avenues in Canberra for them to meet each other and form informal support networks, and to express themselves in a safe and supportive environment.

The positive effects that theatre and the performing arts can have on mental health, particularly in young people, are well documented. In 2018, Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) commissioned research into what impact their drama programs have had on the mental health of participants. “Of the more than 1,200 people who participated in the survey, 89% reported that participating in drama had a positive impact on their self confidence and 94% of respondents said that it had a positive impact on their overall sense of wellbeing” (ATYP Impact Evaluation Final Report 2018).

Help us provide safe creative spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth now!

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Rebus received seed funding to develop a school holiday film program providing social connection and creative expression opportunities to LGBTQIA+ youth aged 12-17 years. Acting Out – On Screen was an intensive program led by two drama tutors and two trained counsellors, a majority of whom identify as LGBTQIA+ in partnership with Meridian.

The mentors guided the participants in writing, directing, shooting and editing their own original short film. The participants formed strong social bonds quickly, sharing stories about their experiences of being misgendered or bullied in school, and created a social media group chat to continue connection beyond the program.

One parent informed Rebus staff that for some of the participants, this was their first time knowingly interacting with other LGBTQIA+ people their own age. Parents and participants alike have expressed interest in the continuation of the program, requesting it be longer in future.

Feedback from participants about what they enjoyed about the project:

• ‘Meeting people with interesting and similar views and opinions.’

• ‘Safe and comfortable space.’

• ‘We were supported by both peers and facilitators.’

• ‘New Friends.’

• ‘Not all people are bad and some are actually nice.’

• ‘I think it is a really good space to be in and just be you.’

This program received seed funding grants which have now expired. With your help we hope to not only continue it, but also expand it so we can provide these benefits to even more LGBTQIA+ Young People.

Our first goal is to raise $13500 to fund a single 4 day program in 2022. If we reach that goal we’ll shoot for $27000 to run two programs.

Support LGBTQIA+ youth now!

Rebus acknowledges the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and pays our respect to elders past, present and emerging.

We practice radical empathy through theatre and other arts to stimulate healing and provoke social and environmental change. Together with our donors and friends, Rebus is embarking on a bold new path to reach more of our marginalised than ever before. Play your own part by making a tax deductible donation to support our mission here!

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The Rebus Staff Wellbeing Program is supported by Hands Across Canberra in partnership with the Chief Minister’s Charitable Fund and the Canberra Foundations Collective.