Homophobia hurts everybody.
We can stop it.

Be Our Ally

A violence prevention program for youth
to foster diversity and respect for difference.

Learning through theatre, music and photography
Grades 5 – 12

“remarkable and memorable”

“Be Our Ally” (BOA) teaches youth about homophobic bullying, how homophobia hurts us all, and how we can all take action to prevent victimization and create a social willingness to change. BOA gives new words and voices to {tip LGBTQ::Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer & Questioning|info}LGBTQ{/tip} youth, and energizes others to be allies.  It is shameful that we live in a society where people who are seen to love “differently” are targets of hate crimes and discrimination. We believe that we must begin to reshape the words and values that create victims of hate crimes in the LGTBQ community. 

The Play: The 75-minute play explores the struggle of LGBTQ youth and the impact of bullying and homophobia. 

The Story:  When Tommy asks Zack to the school dance, he is taunted and beaten up by the “cool” kids, betrayed by Zack and unsupported by his family. His thoughts turn to suicide and Zack is tormented by guilt.  Who will help him?  His friends?  Strangers?  You?  In this interactive drama, audience members help to confront his tormentors and change the situation for the better. 

Beyoutiful: Download Beyoutiful on iTunes | Download Beyoutiful on CDBaby  

“Don’t be afraid to be who you are, don’t be afraid to shine like a star…” 

Photographic Exhibition: These images by Anna Gaby-Trotz are portraits of LGBTQ youth and their allies.  The exhibition, supported with audio messages, sheds light on the strength, fragility and resiliency of youth, including youth of different sexual orientations, and their allies in our community.  Observers comment: “powerful”, “real”, “they look just like people”. 

The exhibition has been at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, the SPARC Conference at the Haliburton School of the Arts, Rail’s End Gallery (Haliburton), and opened Lift Ground Print Studio/Gallery, Huntsville. It can come to you.

Workshops are available with Sheatre’s artists to intensify awareness and positive action. No arts experience necessary.  Everyone is welcome.

“some days are bad; imagine the best”
Do something fun and use your creative juices. What do oppression and friendship really look and feel like from your point of view? Play with theatre improvisation and music as we look at the dark side, and try to sculpt the ideal world where inclusion is the norm. 75 minutes. Facilitated by: Joan Chandler (theatre director) and david sereda (singer-songwriter) of Sheatre

Songwriting Workshops:
There’s immense power when people share ideas, fill blackboards with them, turn them into a song or a scene… In each project we work on, the voice of the participants is central. Collaboration with the artists helps to get the ideas, the feelings and the voices out too. From the moment of “let’s do this!” to “It’s actually happening!” there’s a huge amount of learning, listening, building, exploring and refining from all concerned. 75 minutes

To inquire or to book Be Our Ally please contact:

Be Our Ally was made with 57 youth in Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound, facilitated by Joan Chandler, david sereda and Anna Gaby-Trotz.  It toured to six Grade 5–12 in Bluewater schools and 2 community venues in April – May 2014. In spring 2015, 6000 youth are participating in the theatre forum play in Ontario.

Curriculum Links

Be Our Ally supports both elementary and secondary curriculum.  In particular, Be Our Ally addresses “Creating Pathways to Success” mandatory Ministry program and “Foundations for a Healthy School: a Supportive Social Environment”.  A few specific curriculum examples are:

• Grade 7 & 8 Health: expectations include sources of support as related to healthy sexuality issues;
• Grade 9 Health: demonstrate understanding of how to use decision-making and assertiveness skills effectively to promote healthy sexuality; demonstrate the appropriate steps of conflict resolution in situations encountered in class, at school, with friends, and at home;
• Grade 10 Drama: demonstrate the appropriate steps of conflict resolution in situations encountered in class, at school, with friends, and at home;

“Be Our Ally fits in well with our priority to ensure the well-being of students and staff in a safe, supportive environment for teaching, learning and working.  This project will play a significant role in our efforts to educate students about our LGBTQ community and homophobia.”Lori Wilder, Superintendent of Education, Bluewater District School Board

Facilitators: Heather Majaury, david sereda
Director: Joan Chandler
Music Director: david sereda
Stage Manager: Carol LeNestour

Script by Joan Chandler and youth from Grey and Bruce Counties
Music by david sereda with youth

Advisor and Support Person: Joan Beecroft
Photographs: Hope Fahner (locations) and Anna Gaby-Trotz (portraits)
Set Construction: John Moulton

Thank you to the supporters of our 2015 tour:

The Bluewater District School Board
The Community Foundation Grey Bruce
Investors Group (Ron Todd), Meridian Credit Union
OSSTF District 9, UNIFOR Local 1106, ETFO Bluewater, ETFO-OT Bluewater
CMHA Grey Bruce, Child & Family Services Grey Bruce,
Liz Zetlin, Avenue A Advertising

Project Development was financially supported by: Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Justice Canada’s National Victims of Crime Awareness Week 2014, The Ontario Trillium Foundation, Community Foundation Grey Bruce, OPSEU Locals 260 and 224, UNIFOR Local 1160, and EFTO Bluewater Local. We also thank the following for their in-kind support: Bluewater District School Board, Peninsula Shores District School, ARCH (HIV/AIDS Resources and Community Health), Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Music and More, PI Creative Art, CMHA Grey Bruce, Grey Bruce Public Health, Joan Beecroft, David McLeish, Louise Moore, and all those who contributed to the project's development, including their families and friends.