Supporting Pride 2025
"This year I had the pleasure of working with the students from the Art & Drama department of Calderdale College. I tasked them with creating short videos and art work based on this years Calderdale Pride Wizard of Oz inspired themes; "Mind, Courage, Heart, Home and Pride". These are the results!
A huge thank you to the students and lecturers from Calderdale College for being so incredibly supportive to Calderdale Pride."
- Bazz Robson (Creative Director of Calderdale Pride)
Group 1
Episode One - Mind
Setting the scene, we start the week with a class celebrating Pride month by talking about Pride and LGTBTQ+ flags.
We see a student (Logan) misgendering a non-binary student (River) as they were about to speak up and participate. This micro-aggression invalidates their identity, making them uncomfortable, and unwilling to speak their mind and participate.
In an act of kindness, Darcy offered to speak on River’s behalf, defining the non-binary flag and correcting Logan, who refuses to use singular "they/them" pronouns.
A conflict arises, with Logan using derogatory language, misusing free speech as an excuse to refuse accountability for his actions, highlighting his continued ignorance despite being shown the impact of his actions.
Logan is asked to leave the classroom, where another student (Jane) challenges Logan’s rudeness, saying he is better than this, as Logan admits he doesn’t understand and that it makes no sense to him. Jane highlights that “someone else’s identity isn’t there for [Logan] to understand, it’s only one syllable to change to make someone feel better about themselves”.
This showcases a typical backdrop of misunderstanding and ignorance as well as the importance of advocacy and allyship, which cannot be underestimated.
Episode Two - Courage
As the students leave the classroom after the altercation, other students check in on River, saying that Logan isn’t that bad, he’s just ignorant. Mariah confesses that he sounds like her Dad.
The subject changes to courage, River agrees they know they need to try sticking up for themselves. The students admit it isn’t easy being brave, but it’s something that needs practice to get comfortable with.
River asks the Mariah if they are going to the school’s Pride Party on Saturday. Mariah wants to but needs her dad to drive her, which she thinks is unlikely. River encourages her to ask to make sure, however Mariah looks conflicted and withdrawn.
River is then picked on by other students, after which Mariah states that they are targeting them because they don’t stand up for themselves, River raises their voice “I don’t want to talk about it anymore!” their friend points out that River’s outburstas an example of standing up for themselves and encourages them to believe in themselves to be brave.
River returns to the classroom as Logan is cleaning up, River offers help clearing up. River confronts Logan, expressing they were upset that Logan misgendered them. River states “I know you don’t understand it, but who I want to be has nothing to do with you” continuing to say everyone has the right to respect and asks for an apology. Logan admits he doesn’t understand it but apologises for hurting them. Overall, this episode showcases personal growth, resilience and self-advocacy.
Episode Three - Heart
After school, Darcey is home, hanging out with her girlfriend, however her dad comes home early and asks her girlfriend to leave due to fear of judgement and shame as she doesn’t have the heart to open up about her sexuality to her family, or friends. They go on a break until Darcey comes to terms with their relationship and accepts their identity as lesbians.
Later, Darcey is seen scrolling through her phone, reflecting on her sexuality.
Wednesday – Darcey finds her girlfriend ins a costume closet and confesses her love to her girlfriend, admitting she can’t run away from that – going on to apologise for hurting them both and talks about plans of the future of a life together. Overcoming her shame admitting aloud she’s a lesbian.
‘Coming out’ is a huge step, and can feel like a scary experience and a milestone to many. Stepping into a more authentic version of yourself is liberating, but can also mean stepping out of the comfort zone to face uncertainty of how others will react, possibly even fear of judgement and rejection.
Beyond self-acceptance ‘coming out’ can come be a normal, menial experience. Although it often comes with relief and acceptance, it's not always the case - it can negatively affect many relationships, even friends and family, where rejection becomes more than emotional, as shown by the devastating facts of LGBTQ+ Homelessness.
Episode Four - Home
Thursday - Mariah asks her Dad to take her to the Pride celebration on Saturday, however, as expected, she received a strong negative reaction from her dad who showed disbelief and disapproval that Mariah would want to be associated with an LGBTQ+ pride event, even blaming her friends for getting her “wrapped up in that LGBT ITV b******t”, going on to say “back in my day, we didn’t have any of this”.
Mariah challenged her dad's generational prejudice by citing the historical persecution and the right to self-expression, explaining that people were killed for showing it back then.
She asks if he’s “really that bothered people being proud of who they are” to which he retorts want his family, especially his daughter, to be part of it.
Mariah asks if he is going to take her to the party or not, to which he doesn’t respond, so she walks away.
The next day, Mariah tells her the friends the bad news, that her Dad isn’t going to take her. Her friends offered for her dad to pick her up, if that works for her - as they just want her to be there!
Episode Five - Pride
It’s Saturday, the big day of the party – and the students are getting ready and having fun trying outfits on. Mariah shows her dad her outfit, and after a moment, he has a change of heart and offers to take her to the party!
A single act of kindness and acceptance goes a long way, and she joins the rest of the students at the party.
To some surprise, Logan even arrives to the party into welcoming arms.
The students even pick up on the fact Mariah’s dad brough her to the party as she says “we should just take the day as it comes.”
The group of students end the day by taking a group photo together, bringing Logan into the frame, demonstrating how far inclusion goes in building and bridging relationships!
Group 2
Episode One - Mind
Michael Watson shares their experience as Asexual, something they didn’t consider their sexuality until other people shared their stories of who they are throughout their community.
“There were moments when I thought that there was something wrong with me for feeling this way, but for the most part, coming out has made me much confident in who I am."
"While I have seen my fair share of negative comments, even within the community – I have never felt better about being me!”
Episode Two - Courage
Owen Taylor shares their experience as being Pansexual.
Owen first came out in the summer of 2019 and realised their sexual orientation was pansexual in June 2022.
Pansexuality is sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction towards people of all genders, or regardless of their sex or gender identity.
“I realised I was pansexual when I wasn’t bothered about people’s genders… I liked them for who they [were], I just wanted to make a genuine connection.”
Owen was scared about coming out, because he was worried about how his family would view him and that they weren’t going to understand.
After joining a local LGBTQ group, who gave him a lot of confidence and courage to come out and be who they are on the inside.
Episode Three - Heart
Harry Cambell shares their experience of his sister transitioning gender from male to female.
“I was quite shocked when she first told me, not really understanding myself, being a straight male, but I never really discouraged her.”
“The only thing I really struggled with using the right pronouns, and the right name. but I still got the hang of it, and I am happy that I did”
Episode Four - Home
Evie Black shares her experience as bisexual.
“I always I was attracted to both genders, I don’t really remember having any kind of awakening. I just remember I like watching romance movies and always being attracted to the main characters.”
She was very worried about coming out to her parents as she comes from quite a religious family, and they have said their fair share of negative comments in that past.
“When I came out to them both over dinner, they weren’t the most supportive parents.”
It’s been a few weeks since coming out and her dad was apprehensive at first but later showed his support, whereas her mum hasn’t come around yet, so she’s glad to have her dad’s support.
Closing with some advice to others, it’s always good to be who you are, there is always the possibility that they may put their religious beliefs aside. Although they may not accept
Episode Five - Pride
All previous interview guests gather after 2 months who celebrate their progress.
Michael Watson has gained lot’s more confidence after finding their community who support them and even helped them go on their first date in a while.
Harry Cambell provides and update and shares his gratitude for sharing his sister’s story.
His sister also shared progress in her gender-affirming care. Since her brother’s last video, they started a GoFundMe page and raised £45,000 for surger!
Owen proclaimed he’s in love and has been dating someone he met through competing in tennis.
Evie Black’s mum unfortunately left, however she’s happy that she has people in her life that support her.
Group 3
Episode One - Mind
Daisy begins her journey of self-discovery through asking a friend how they figured out how they were aromantic and asexual.
Her friend suggested that online quizzes helped them to explore themselves, though they never really saw themselves ending up in a relationship with anyone and they preferred spending their time in platonic relationships with friends and family over romantic relationships.
Some time later, she begins looking at quizes throughout the day to help explore her sexual orientation.
Her dad walks in to ask if she wants any leftovers and expresses concern as she's not eaten all day. She asks for space to get on with her homework as her dad asks to take a look to help, however she quickly slams her phone on the desk and asks him to get out of her room.
Her dad again offers support and tells her that he loves her before leaving her room as requested.
Episode Two - Courage
After exploring her identity, she hosts a sleepover with a group of friends and whilst she goes to check when pizza is going to be delivered, the group catch up with each other and the conversation turns to relationships and love life.
One friend is unsure about how things are going with their relationship, and asks another friend if her boyfriend has replied to her message yet.
She reveals that her boyfriend cheated on her after 4 years, whilst her friends rallied to support her and affirm that she deserves better than him.
Another friend proclaims that she might go on holiday to Spain with her girlfirend as the friends share their excitement with her.
The friend who is aromantic and asexual says they don't see the point in relationships as they seem like so much work.
Then, as Daisy returns, they catch her up on what she's missed and asks if she spoke to the guy they told her about.
Daisy then reveals that she's a lesbian!
This episode highlights the importance of having a safe environment and healthy support network as Daisy's friends openly and honestly share their lives and support each other.
Episode Three - Heart
After coming out, Daisy continues chatting with her friends, where one of them said they always thought Daisy liked the guy from Mama Mia, as she reveals she had a crush on Sophie.
A friend reassured Daisy, stating that she could have always told her, another asking when she knew that she was lesbian.
She explains that on some level, she always kind of knew, but seeing her friends being comfortable in their identites really gave her the the to come out.
Her friend explains that she was always confused with her sexuality until she met Zoe and then she just kind of knew.
Another friend proclaims "I'm so proud of you guys. I know I don't fully understand it, but I love you guys no matter what"
The group asks if Daisy's dad knows yet, saying that she doesn't have to come out to him but they're sure he'll support them.
Daisy explains that since her mum died, her dad's had so many expectations of her, comparing her to her sister, but she's not like her, and she's fine with that!
Episode Four - Home
Daisy is nervous and excited for her first pride event, though she doesn't know what to wear.
She's told that "It's pride, wear whatever you feel comfortable in." She picks some clothes out and her complement her outfit.
Daisy's dad comes in to ask if they want any snacks and Daisy tells him to get out. Her friends encourage her to come out to her dad, and remind her they're there to support her when she comes back.
Daisy sits down with her dad who asks if everything is alright.
She says "I'm not Amelia [her sister], and I'm not your little girl anymore. You need to stop treating me like a child."
Her dad emotionally explains that it's hard for him as a single dad and he lost his wife and whilst she's spending time with her friends, he feels alone and wants to spend more time with her and again asks if there's anything else she wants.
This gives her the opportunity to broach the subject, explaining that she's been trying to figure something out recently and has been finding it hard to find a way to tell him. That she's been trying to come to terms with the fact that she's a lesbian.
Her dad comforts her, saying there's nothing wrong with that - that he's her dad and of course he accepts her and offers her some glitter that her mum had and welcomes her friends back.
Episode Five - Pride
Her friends reunite and celebrate that she came out to her dad!
Continuing their excitement, they then rush to get ready for the Pride event and pick up right where they left off, catching up with their conversation about holiday plans.
Before they set off, Daisy's friends give her a gift, a Pride rainbow flag.
The episode concludes with Daisy's dad wishing them all well as they depart, showing a warm and supportive atmosphere