SYNOPSIS: Outside is the story of Daniel, a teen who triumphs over homophobic bullying, depression and suicide. At his new school he shares his story at a meeting of the Gay Straight Alliance. Meanwhile, at his old school, struggling to come to terms with what happened, his friends Krystina and Jeremy attempt to start their own GSA. Through flashbacks, we travel through Daniel’s harrowing experience with bullying that began with a taunt and a text message and eventually led to a serious physical assault. Three friends, two high schools, one lunch hour.
Nominated for two Dora Mavor Moore Awards!
Outstanding New Play – Paul Dunn
Outstanding Performance – G. Kyle Shields
General Information (Click Here)
Cast and Creative Team bios and headshots (Click Here)
About Roseneath Theatre (Click Here)
HOW TO HANDLE HARASSMENT IN THE HALLWAYS IN THREE MINUTES
1. STOP the harassment.
Interrupt the comment/halt the physical harassment.
DO NOT pull students aside for confidentiality unless absolutely necessary.
Make sure all the students in the area hear your comments.
It is important that all students, whether onlookers, potential targets, or potential-
harassers, get the message that students are safe and protected in this school.
2. IDENTIFY the harassment.
Label the form of harassment: “You just made a harassing comment/put-down based upon race (religion, ethnicity, abilities, gender, age, sexual orientation, eco- nomic status, size, etc.”).
Do not imply that the victim is a member of that identifiable group.
A major goal is to take the “spotlight” off the target and turn the focus to the
behaviour. Students should realize what was said, regardless of what was meant (e.g., kidding).
3. BROADEN the response.
Do not personalize your response at this stage: “At this school we do not harass people.” “Our community does not appreciate hateful/thoughtless behaviour.”
Re-identify the offensive behaviour: “This name calling can also be hurtful to oth- ers who overhear it.”
“We don’t do put-downs at this school” specifically includes those listening, as well as the school community in general. Even if they were “only kidding”, harass- ers must realize the possible ramifications of their actions.
4. ASK for change in future behaviour.
Personalize the response: “Chris, please pause and think before you act.”
Check in with the victim at this time: “If this continues, please tell me, and I will
take further action. We want everyone to be safe at this school.”
Now turn the “spotlight” on the harasser specifically, asking for accountability. Again, be sure not to treat the target like a helpless victim. Rather, plainly give
him/her this responsibility on behalf of others.
(From the Toronto District School Board's Safe Schools Action Team Report)
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Bullying Prevention
otffeo.on.ca/en/resources/useful-links/bullying-prevention/
Useful links for bullying prevention from the Ontario Teachers' Federation
Gay-Straight Alliances
mygsa.ca
MyGSA is an information and resource website for LGBTQ or ally students, teachers, and parents who want to start a GSA at a school.
gsanetwork.org
Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network) is an American LGBTQ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains queer, trans and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an intersectional movement for safer schools and healthier communities.
General LGBTQ Information
dailyxtra.com
Daily Xtra is a Canadian news website that covers issues important to gays and lesbians and explores the many ways in which the diverse queer communities express themselves.
advocate.com
The Advocate is an online and print news company that covers news, culture, etc. relating to the LGBTQ commu- nity.
glsen.org
The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is the leading American national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students by improving school climate and championing LGBTQ issues in K-12 education. Website includes lesson plans to integrate LGBTQ content into your classroom.
Help/Crisis Call Centres
kidshelpphone.ca
Kids Help Phone is Canada's only toll-free, 24-hour, bilingual and anonymous phone counselling, web counselling and referral service for children and youth.
youthline.ca
The Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line is a toll-free service provided by youth for LGBTQ youth.
translifeline.org
Trans Lifeline is a free hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people.
youthspace.ca
Youthspace chat is an online help service for young people answered by a community of professionally-trained volunteers and staff who are here to listen without judgement and offer support.
Intersex
isna.org
The Intersex Society of North America (ISNA) is devoted to systemic change to end shame, secrecy, and unwant- ed genital surgeries for people born with an anatomy that someone decided is not standard for male or female.
Mental Health: Depression/Suicide
dwdonline.ca
Dealing with Depression (DWD) is a resource to provide teens with accurate information about depression and self-help skills to cope with it.
mindcheck.ca
Mindcheck is a website designed to help youth and young adults check out how they’re feeling and quickly connect to mental health resources and support including education, self-care tools, and website links.
suicideinfo.ca/Library/AboutSuicide/YouthatRisk
This website, created by a branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, has PDF resources geared to- wards parents, youth, and professionals about youth at risk of suicide.
Trans* (Transgender and Transsexual)
http://www.straightforequality.org/trans
Great document by the organization Straight for Equality about what it means to be transgender and how to be a transgender ally.
transequality.org
The National Center for Transgender Equality is the leading social justice advocacy organization in the USA. The website contains definitions and a lot of resources related to trans rights.
http://www.bcchildrens.ca/our-services/clinics/gender
This BC Children’s Hospital webpage lists great resources about transgender issues.
Two-Spirited
queensu.ca/positivespace/res_2spirit_resources.pdf
Two-Spirit Online Resources
dancingtoeaglespiritsociety.org/twospirit.php
The Dancing to Eagle Spirit Society is dedicated to the healing and empowerment of aboriginal and non-ab- original two-spirit individuals, their friends, and their allies.
2spirits.com
2 Spirited People of the 1st Nations (2 Spirits) is a non-profit social service organization whose membership consists of Aboriginal 2-Spirit, gay, lesbian, intersex, bisexual and transgender people in Toronto and to all Aboriginal people living with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS.
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/two-spirit
The Canadian Encyclopedia describes a Two-Spirited person who embodies both a masculine and feminine spirit.
LGBTQ ORGANIZATIONS
National LGBTQ Organizations
Egale.ca
Egale Canada Human Rights Trust is Canada’s only national charity promoting lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans human rights through research, education and community engagement.
hsse.ca . | https://www.facebook.com/TheHSSE/
Heterosexuals for Same-Sex Equality is an organization that promotes heterosexual participation in the battle for equality in regards to same-sex issues.
pflagcanada.ca
PFLAG Canada is Canada's only national organization that helps all Canadians with issues of sexual orienta- tion, gender identity and gender expression. Regional chapters: KingstonON@pflagcanada.ca, Ottawa: pflagot- tawa.ca/, thunderbayon@pflagcanada.ca, Toronto:torontopflag.org, York: pflagyork.ca/
Regional LGBTQ Organizations
Kingston:
outinkingston.org
A website that lists all the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender events taking place in Kingston.
facebook.com/PrideKingston
Kingston Pride is a grassroots organization that works to promote awareness and inclusion of the LGBTTIQQA- A2S* community in Kingston through a wide range of activities, including an annual Pride parade.
www.kchc.ca/index.cfm/the-space
FUSE is a group for queer, trans*, gender queer, two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual and questioning youth under the age of 19.
transfamilykingston.com
Transfamily Kingston is a group of transgender individuals and their family members and supporters in Kings- ton, Ontario.
Reelout is an annual queer film and video festival in Kingston.
Kitchener-Waterloo Area:
ok2bme.ca
OK2BME is a set of free, confidential services for kids and teens in the Kitchener-Waterloo Area wondering about their sexuality or gender identity.
North Bay:
prideoncampus.weebly.com/
Pride on Campus supports and celebrates a diverse community and welcomes students and non-students of all sexualities, gender identities, and gender expressions.
Ottawa:
insideout.ca/initiatives/Ottawa
Inside Out produces a yearly four-day LGBTQ-themed film festival in the Ottawa region.
capitalpride.ca
Capital Pride Festival aims to perpetuate the spirit of pride in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, two-spirited and questioning community in Canada’s National Capital Region of Ottawa–Gatineau by producing an annual pride parade.
centretownchc.org/media/53436/glbttq_youth_resource_list.pdf
Provides a comprehensive list of resources for LGBTQ youth.
Simcoe County
LGBT Youth Connection Simcoe County – Barrie
Contact the above email to participate in a drop-in social space for LGBTQ youth 23 and under. It is a group that provides opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans youth to get together in a relaxed social space and to access resources and support on LGBTQ topics/issues.
Red Lake
fireflynw.ca/programs-and-services/access-services
Firefly offers many services for the physical, emotional, and developmental wellbeing of children in Red Lake, including counsellors to talk about LGBTQ and mental health issues.
Sudbury and Area
sudburypride.com
Sudbury Pride plans for and carries out Sudbury’s annual Pride Parade.
reseauaccessnetwork.com
Réseau Access Network provides support services and education to those living with, affected by and at risk of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C. Their outreach services and education programs fight homophobia and heterosex- ism, provide information about LGBT issues and referrals to community services, and promote harm reduction and youth issues.
facebook.com/pages/LGBT2-s-Youth-Resource-and-Support-Sudbury-and-Manitoulin
LGBT2-s Youth Resource and Support - Sudbury and Manitoulin is a resource for youth, parents, family and educators in Sudbury.
Thunder Bay
thunderpride.ca
The Thunder Pride Association organizes a pride parade each year.
facebook.com/LusuPrideCentral
Pride Central is a service centre for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, and queer students, but the services are available to all students and community members.
other10percent.ca
The Other 10% is a drop-in LGBTQ group for 12-25 year olds.
facebook.com/pages/Trans-Support-Collective/194317560663423
Trans* Support Collective is a support group for transsexual, transgender, cross dressing, gender queer people and allies of all ages.
Trans Support Group - NorWest Community Health Centre
Call 807-626-8487 for more information about joining this weekly trans* support group.
Toronto
www.uhn.ca/docs/HealthInfo/Shared%20Documents/LGBTQ_Community_Services_a...f Comprehensive list of LGBTQ resources for Toronto.
The 519 Community Centre provides LGBTQ people resources and opportunities to foster self-determination, civic engagement, and community enrichment through social recreation, volunteerism, arts and culture, and community participation.
soytoronto.org/links.html
Supporting Our Youth (SOY) is an exciting, dynamic community development program designed to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgender youth in Toronto through the active involvement of youth and adult communities.
griffin-centre.org/reachout.php
ReachOUT is a creative, inclusive & accessible program for LGBTQ youth and adults in the Greater Toronto Area.
buddiesinbadtimes.com/youth
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is the world’s longest-running and largest queer theatre. The theatre has many free programs for youth such as free tickets to Buddies shows, artist post-show talks, open mics, and opportu- nities to get onstage.
pridetoronto.com
Pride Toronto holds an international celebration in Toronto every year that incorporates activism, education, and the history and culture of global LGBTTQQIAA2S* communities.
LGBTQ Organizations - Saskatchewan
Saskatoon
https://www.outsaskatoon.ca/ | OUT Saskatoon
OUT Saskatoon is dovoted to building a community that values and supports people of all gender identies, expresstions, and sexualities.
https://www.saskatoonpride.ca/ | The Saskatoon Diversity Network
The Saskatoon Diversity Network showcases queer culture through the organization of a Pride Festival, and strives toward building equality, sustainability, and a supportive community.
Regina
https://www.urpride.ca/ | UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity
The UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity is a non-profit service provider housed at the University of Regina. UR Pride provides services and programming for the entire community of Regina, not just for the University of Regina.
