CLASS QUEERS
10:00.06 SCENES OF PROM.
Narrator:
In Toronto a June ritual unfolds.
Emcee:
Welcome to the Red Hot Pride Prom (cheers)
Narrator:
The queer high school prom. Off limits for everyone else. For three lives that briefly intertwine here, this is their story.
Emcee:
10:00.26 Adina, two words why you want to be king.
Adina:
Okay. One word. Supercalifragilisticexpealedocious.
Adina: As the rabbi’s daughter, they expected me to be the same as everyone else. Not just to be one of the kids but to be –
(CUT TO CLOSE INTERVIEW)
-the model child at the school and to conform exactly what the school wanted. And I did the exact opposite.
10:00.47 (CUT TO ADAM AT THE PROM)
Adam:
I never thought about it. It was not something that I sat at home and thought, oh you’re gay. It didn’t happen until probably when I was 15, 16, you know.
(CUT TO PROM)
But what hurt is that people had already made my choice before I could even come out.
Richard:
10:01.12 My mom doesn’t like gay people at all. I know she’s my mom and I love her
and stuff like that but she’s –
(CUT TO INTERVIEW OUTSIDE NIGHT MEDIUM CLOSE UP)
-another person who I just look at, … who makes homophobic remarks and just think, okay, you know, I’m at a higher level than that so – just move on with my life.
(CUT TO PROM)
10:01.26 TITLE: CLASS QUEERS
(STREET SCENES INTERCUT WITH ADAM WALKING DOWN STREET)
Narrator:
10:01.35 Whitby, Ontario, a manicured place on the outskirts of Toronto where Adam
lives with his family.
Adam:
10:01.47 Living in a small town and going to a high school there were a couple of the
hardest years of my life. Because at times I remember coming home and just bawling.
I basically had nowhere to go and no one I could talk to. And I was left to fend for myself.
(ADAM WALKING ALONG A CHAIN LINK FENCE)
10:02.09 For the three years that I was here it was a living hell. This place was like a
jail. Like … how bad I wanted to leave and my parents wanted me to stay here. It started in grade six.
(PHOTO OF YOUNG ADAM PANNING TO A CLOSE UP)
I was seeing a guidance counsellor and I had told him that I wasn’t feeling really good about myself because I felt different from everyone else. So he brought in the two popular boys in the school at that time and maybe they could teach me how to walk normal-
(ADAM INTERVIEW IN FRONT OF SCHOOL)
10:02.41 - So, I got out in the hall and of course-
(ADAM DEMONSTRATES THE WALKS)
-how I walk, I always had like a little – the hips and – and I did this a lot when I was younger and my hand was always like this. My mom would always be slapping it down. But anyways ah –
they walk like you know they have the big baggy jeans and the big sweaters. They were like, you know, just – whatever – acting like thugs. And ah so they got me trying to walk like this. So I’m walking like this down the hallway and ah it didn’t last for that long because I did it that once and I don’t think I ever carried it on again. I still walked the same, my arms go like this.
(ADAM SITTING CROSS LEGGED. V.O.)
10:03.24 I look back on it now and it just – it was awful. It is humiliating that
somebody would actually do that and try to change the person that I was. Like they were probably laughing inside and they thought it was a big joke.
Narrator:
(LEGS WALKING IN A SCHOOL)
10:03.43 But over the years, corridor jokes escalate into something else. The breaking
point will come after a teacher's impromptu comment in the classroom
Adam V.O.:
He brought up that if you’re going to accept homosexuality then you might as well accept bestiality and Paul Bernardo.
Narrator:
A school investigation, an apology from the teacher. But Adam's parents decide it is not enough.
Adam’s Mom:
(INTERVIEW, NIGHT, PORCH)
10:04.11 So then you start thinking, okay what kind of a school do I have my son in?
Where, he constantly gets ridiculed, now not only from the students but now the teachers can do it too. And that to me as a turning point about I have to get him out of there.
10:04.29 (CHURCH BELLS, CHURCH WINDOW, PEWS)
Narrator:
In East End Toronto, this church serves the city's gay community. And tucked away in the basement in a location kept secret by the Toronto School Board is a refuge for queer teenagers.
(CAMERA PANS THROUGH CHURCH, DOWN STAIRS)
Gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, they come here to attend a high school program known simply as Triangle.
Teacher V.O.:
10:04.57 Who knows the history of the Triangle?
(CUT TO FAR SHOT - CLASSROOM)
Voice:
Adina does.
Teacher:
Lots of people do. Richard, what’s the history of the Triangle?
Richard:
The history of the Triangle was when the triangle was placed on all homosexuals in the Holocaust to identify them.
Teacher:
What colour?
Richard:
It was fuchsia.
Voice: Pink.
(CUT TO CLOSER SHOT OF TEACHER AND ADAM)
Teacher:
10:05.13 Why do you think they used pink for gay men? Why not like you know –
Adam:
A girly colour.
Teacher:
Because it’s a girly colour, absolutely right.
(CLOSE UP ON ADAM’S PROFILE)
So guys are supposed to be strong and masculine so it was an attempt to shame them.
Teacher Interview:
There’s still homophobia in the world –
(CLOSE UP ON ADINA)
-and these kids are getting the brunt of it.
(TEACHER ON CAMERA, EXTERIOR)
They’re actually being beaten. They get nasty notes in their locker. They get threats of death.
(CUT TO CLASSROOM)
And that’s why we’re needed.
Teacher:
(IN CLASSROOM)
10:05.33 How many people do you think have written about being gay and being in the
Holocaust?
Teacher Interview V.O.:
They come here as a safe haven, a place to gain –
(CLOSE UP ON BLONDE STUDENT)
-some solid identity for themselves-
(CLOSE UP ON ANOTHER STUDENT)
-and feel normal as well.
Teacher V.O.:
Why is it important that we know these stories?
Adam:
Because how it was (CLOSE UP ON ADAM’S PROFILE) back then, they weren’t allowed to be so open and express themselves for who they were. So I have to realize that I – I’m lucky in a way.
Teacher:
Yeah, yeah.
Adam:
10:06.01 Even though it didn’t feel like it, like my whole life but I’ve been a lot luck-
luckier than they were so –
(CLOSE UP ON STUDENT)
Teacher V.O.:
Yeah. Well that’s a nice way of putting it.
Richard:
10:06.09 (singing V.O.) Jesus (ON CAMERA PUTTING ON SHAVING LATHER)
you are my joy …
Narrator:
Monday morning and Richard’s got a plan.
Richard:
-the way. You’re the –
Narrator:
He’s fed up with the chaos at home. He can't keep up with the work at school. Safe haven or not, he's dropping out of Triangle.
Richard:
Jesus you are, yeah.
Narrator:
He’s getting ready for work at his new job where he hopes to make enough money to get a place with his first serious boyfriend.
Richard:
(SINGING) -Well let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Narrator:
10:06.55 As for the apartment he shares with his mother and stepfather Bill, he’s tired
of setting up camp in the junk room.
Richard:
(RICHARD IN DOORWAY OF HIS ROOM, TURNS ON LIGHT)
Well this is my room when I sleep over here which I don’t do very often actually. This cart isn’t supposed to be here. It’s supposed to be out in the living room. But considering I haven’t been here for the past three weeks, they started piling stuff in here. That’s the futon I used to sleep on as a temporary room or whatever, a bed. .And the living room, my parents always watch TV till like 3 or 4 in the morning. It was like I couldn’t get any sleep at that time. So then I made them clear out a little space in this room so I could at least have some privacy to myself, which is like again so crappy by the looks of it.
(CAMERA PANS AROUND THE ROOM)
10:07.43 But this is my space. My personal space. My privacy. Which isn’t really
much to call it actually. But I have to say it’s better than the living room. It’s
way better. Yep. This is it.
10:08.07 (CLOSE UP ON RICHARD’S HAND IN SINK AT WORK RUNNING
WATER)
Narrator:
With school now out of the way,
(MEDIUM SHOT OF RICHARD AT SINK)
-Richard can really concentrate on the demands of his first full-time job.
Client O.S.:
Because you were in school the last time I saw you.
Richard O.S.
Yeah I was in school.
(RICHARD DOING CLIENT’S HAIR)
Actually the school that I was going to wasn’t really working out.
Client O.S.:
So you left?
Richard:
10:08.29 Yeah. I didn’t really like it. It was full – it was an all gay school which is cool
but – the curriculum and the literature that they were teaching, you know,
wasn’t benefiting me at all. Like just gay literature and stuff like that.
(CLOSE UP ON CLIENT)
It’s like I want something that I can use when I go to university or college.
Client:
Right.
Richard:
So that –
Client O.S.:
(PAN TO RICHARD)
So this is a different kind of school or what was it?
Richard:
Well it’s actually a part of the Toronto School board.
(CLOSE UP ON RICHARD’S HANDLING CLIENT’S HAIR)
And there’s like three teachers and all the teachers are gay or lesbian.
(CUT TO RICHARD)
Client O.S.:
Oh okay.
Richard:
Which is cool but –
(CLIENT AND RICHARD FROM BACK)
Richard:
It’s all done.
Richard:
10:09.03 Your iced tea is over there?
Client:
Yeah it’s over there with my purse.
Richard:
Do you want me to get you a new one because it’s probably warm.
Richard:
Are you sure?
Client:
Alright, okay.
(RICHARD WALKS AWAY)
(CUT TO RICHARD EMPTYING GARBAGE, GOING OUTSIDE WITH GARBAGE BAG, LIGHTING UP A CIGARETTE, DUMPING GARBAGE BAG)
10:09.57 (CHURCH BELLS, CHURCH EXT, CHURCH INT)
Richard:
With the salon we have an exclusive hair extension product from Germany
(RICHARD GOING UP STAIRS)
Narrator:
Lunch time at Triangle.
Richard:
-just walking in from like all over the world.
Narrator:
Richard’s back. But only to pick up his belongings, say goodbye to some friends and face his teachers one last time.
(RICHARD WALKING DOWN HALLWAY WITH STUDENT)
Richard:
… get your hair coloured and everything.
Student:
10:10.19 So where did you meet this boy?
Richard:
Okay ?? I'm gonna tell you. It’s actually very funny.
(RICHARD TALKING TO STUDENTS IN LUNCH ROOM)
He’s 21.
Students:
Hm.
Richard:
And we’re going to get a place together which I think is so cool.
Student:
Aw, he’s so cool.
Richard:
And he’s really good looking. I think I have a picture of him which is even pathetic.
(RICHARD GETTING PHOTO AND SHOWING IT)
It’s like I printed it off the computer. And we were in the Jacuzzi last night. My parents sort of got one.
Richard:
10:10.37 You can’t really see it that well but he’s so adorable.
Adina:
Oh he’s cute.
Voice:
Aw.
Richard:
He’s so cute.
Teacher:
(EATING AT A LONG TABLE. CLOSE UP ON TEACHER.)
So ah do they pay you well?
(CAMERA PANS OVER TO RICHARD)
Richard:
Oh yeah. I get paid $400 a week.
Teacher O.S.:
Really? (Richard nods) Wow. No wonder you’re not coming back to school. (laughter)
(CLOSE UP OF HANDS AND SANDWICH)
Teacher V.O.:
But you really are committed to finish?
Richard V.O.:
Yeah. Definitely. I need to go back to school.
Teacher:
Well you do.
(CUT TO TEACHER)
10:10.58 Don’t get hooked into the money thing.
Richard V.O.:
I know.
Teacher:
It looks really good but it’s –
(CUT TO RICHARD)
Richard:
Next year it’s going to be the year that I crack down. Like I’m gonna like be so dedicated, so like committed to absolutely everything.
Teacher V.O.:
Richard just take one step at a time okay?
(CAMERA PANS OVER TO TEACHER)
Richard:
I know.
TEACHER:
Cause I know sometimes you get, you know, all these plans and then it’s harder to follow through if you don’t just –
Richard:
If you’re gonna talk the talk –
Teacher:
Yeah, take one step at a time here,
(CUT TO RICHARD)
okay? (chuckle)
Denise.(O.S.):
10:11.22 Are you dropping out?
(RICHARD AND YOUNG WOMAN OUTSIDE)
Richard:
I am.
Woman:
Why?
Richard:
Because-
(CLOSE UP ON YOUNG WOMAN)
I just – I just – school wasn’t for me. Like even – it’s not –
Narrator:
When she catches wind of the news,
(LONG SHOT OF DENISE AND RICHARD)
Richard’s best friend Denise rushes over to confront him.
(CLOSE SHOT OF DENISE AND RICHARD)
Richard:
With my marks below, you know what I mean, I always get in shit, always get suspended.
Denise:
That was because you didn’t work enough.
Richard:
I know.
Denise:
What’s going to make it so different next year?
Richard:
Well because I think I’m going to change. Everything about me is changing, Denise. With the job now it’s like I’m developing skills. Like I’m getting on time. I’m getting up at like 6:00 every morning whereas with school I’d get up at 10:30 and school starts at 9:30.
Denise:
10:11.56 Yeah but you’re still like – you’re not going to want to go back next year.
Richard:
I think I will.
Denise:
Obviously if you’re doing so good now and you’re like, you have a job and everything.
Richard:
That’s the thing. Like as my best friend, Denise,
(CLOSE UP ON DENISE)
I don’t want you to think like that. When I’m telling you I’m going back to school next year, I want you to believe me.
(SHOT OF SCHOOL AND DOOR)
School means everything.
10:12.12 (CUT TO ADINA AND RICHARD IN CLASSROOM, RICHARD
CLEANING OUT HIS STUFF)
Adina:
Homophobia unit
Richard:
Homophobia. That’s garbage. We’ll save folders because we’re part of Greenpeace right?
Adina:
Exactly. Good for the environment …
Richard:
You do good in school.
Adina:
Yes totally
Richard:
And don’t do too much partying. Cause I know how you are
(RICHARD LEAVING)
Richard:
You guys have fun.
(ADINA WAVING)
Students:
Bye, Richie.
Adina:
Bye.
10:12.34 (EXT, STREET)
Narrator:
Friday evening, sunset.
(MAN ON CELL PHONE ON STREET)
North Toronto feels like another world. A world defined by Jewish rules and ritual. Strict religious laws with little room for deviation.
10:12.59 (ADINA AT HOME IN KITCHEN, SETTING TABLE)
Adina’s Mom:
Adina in general I commend you. You do a lot more reading of newspapers in general than I do at all.
Adina:
What else is new? You don’t understand half of it? Your like politics, what? What does that mean?
Adina’s Mother:
Adina, I’m also half blind. I mean –
Adina:
You’re also politically inept.
Adina’s Mother:
That’s true.
Adina:
With the political intelligence of a 3 year old.
Narrator:
10:13.24 On the eve of Shabat, the Jewish Sabbath, Adina is expected to help her
mother prepare the family table especially after complications from surgery
left Laurie unable to lift her neck.
(ADINA READING A NEWSPAPER)
Laurie O.S.:
Okay I don’t mind but you do know that when you set at a table you don’t put the knife and the fork on the same side.
(CLOSE UP ON ADINA)
Adina:
10:13.45 Do I care?
Laurie O.S.:
Adina, you put the knife on the right hand side and the fork under the napkin
(CAMERA PANS AROUND KITCHEN) on the left hand side. That’s social etiquette.
Adina:
Sorry, I skipped Home Ec.
Laurie O.S.:
She sat down one Friday night on the couch and she said, mom, I’ve got something to tell you but it’s going to be –
(Laurie on couch)
-really hard. She was – I mean it took her about 20 minutes to calm down. I put my hand around her shoulder and I said, Adina, I know this is hard. But I love you and whatever you tell me I’m still gonna love you.
(CLOSE UP ON ADINA)
Adina:
10:14.22 I sort of chickened out. It was like, um, um, um, I’m – bisexual. And then a
week later she’s like – she started talking to me about if I get, you know,
when I get married. And I’m like I’m not getting married.
(Adina lighting candles, V.O.)
And then a week later I was like, you know what, screw it. … Ema, I’m a lesbian, okay? I’m not getting married. And then she went and told my father.
Narrator:
10:14.52 Adina's father is usually home for this weekly religious tradition. (ADINA
PRAYING OVER LIT CANDLES IN HEBREW)
But he is not ready to appear on camera or talk publicly about his daughter's sexuality.
(LAURIE AND ADINA AT KITCHEN TABLE)
Laurie V.O.:
When my husband found out, I mean it was similar to me in that he was hoping and praying it was a phase simply because it’s difficult to be Jewish and also be a lesbian.
(ADINA RECITING HEBREW PRAYER)
Laurie V.O.:
10:15.15 Adina and my husband are unbelievably close
(ADINA BREAKING BREAD. SHOT OF EMPTY CHAIR AT TABLE)
-and he really pulled back. He didn’t talk about it a lot and he couldn’t. But he really pulled back from Adina for a while.
(ADINA EATING WITH MOTHER)
Laurie O.S.:
That’s …
Adina:
Yeah it’s good.
Adina:
He hasn’t even talked to me, you know. He talked to my mother, had her talk to me.
(CLOSE UP OF ADINA)
But for two months it was just at total cold shoulder. And I’d walk by and maybe he’d grunt that I, you know, to acknowledge that I exist but we wouldn’t talk. And we just – there was always this really weird tension between us –
(SHOT OF ADINA AND LAURIE AT TABLE)
-and that’s hard.
Adina.:
10:15.51 I never knew until like a few years ago that I liked girls. I knew I never liked
boys.
Laurie:
Oh okay. That’s different.
Adina:
Right, you get it.
Laurie:
Yeah. When were you aware though that you liked girls?
Adina:
Probably 12.
Laurie:
So at your bat mitzvah?
Adina:
Yeah.
Laurie:
So why did you dance with all the boys?
Adina:
Because I was expected to.
Adina V.O.:
10:16.16 … because I’m a rabbi’s daughter to get married to a nice Jewish man and
have two point five kids and live in a house with a white picket fence and a
dog.
(CLOSE UP ON ADINA)
Adina O.C.:
I’ll only be happy if I live my life the way that I need to and the way that I should. And I can’t – I can’t live the life that he's wishing for me.
(LAURIE ON COUCH)
Laurie O.C.:
10:16.32 She wants to stand up on a big pedestal and shout out to the world, I’m a
lesbian! Accept me! Love me!
(ADINA AT TABLE)
Laurie V.O.:
She sticks out like a sore thumb and everybody knows who she is.
(LAURIE ON COUCH O.C.)
So my husband didn’t want that kind of flak and he banned her from coming to synagogue.
10:16.50 (IN SYNAGOGUE, SINGING PRAYER O.S.)
Laurie:
He has a very prominent role
(SHOT OF SYNAGOGUE)
in the Jewish community and he feels that if people find out
(ADINA SITTING ON SYNAGOGUE STEPS)
that she’s lesbian that it will have a major impact on him as a very important Jewish leader in the community.
10:17.25 (LONG SHOT, ADINA SITTING ON SYNAGOGUE STEPS)
(Richard walking along street)
Narrator:
With his stepfather Bill away at work, Richard psyches himself up to let his mother in on his new plan. He’s moving out
(PAN ON APARTMENT BUILDING)
with his new boyfriend, someone she’s never met.
Richard’s Mom: (O.S.)
10:17.48 So when are you bringing him over here so I can meet him.
(CUT TO RICHARD AND MOM ON COUCH)
Richard:
Why do you want to meet him?
Richard’s Mom:
Well gee, Richard, I don’t know. I met my daughter’s boyfriend. Don’t you think I have a right to meet my son’s boyfriend?
Richard:
Yeah.
(CLOSE UP OF RICHARD’S HAND WITH CIGARETTE)
But I know the way you are. Like how do you feel?
(CUT TO RICHARD AND MOM ON COUCH)
Richard’s Mom:
10:18.05 I refuse to answer that.
Richard:
Please.
Richard’s Mom:
No. I can’t, Richard.
Richard:
But I want you to.
Richard’s Mom:
No I can’t.
Richard:
Why?
Richard’s Mom:
Because-
(CLOSE UP ON RICHARD)
-you know – you know that it upsets me. Because I thought I done
(RICHARD AND MOM ON COUCH)
better. I thought I brought you and Crystal up better for the last 12 years by myself. And yeah it hurts
(CLOSE UP ON RICHARD)
-the lifestyle that you have.
10:18.30 (CLOSE-UP ON MOM)
(CLOSE UP RICHARD LIGHTING A CIGARETTE)
(RICHARD AND MOM)
Richard:
I understand what you’re going through but because I have feelings that I can’t control –
(CLOSE UP ON RICHARD’S HANDS AND ASHTRAY)
-and you know that I’m your son and that I’m gay, why can’t you change that?
(CLOSE UP ON MOM)
Richard’s Mom:
10:18.47 In my opinion I feel like I failed.
Richard:
But you didn’t fail.
Richard’s Mom:
Well-
Richard:
Because the way I look at my life right now I’m like wow, the way I was before –
Richard’s Mom:
No I’m happy that you – I’m happy that your life is going better for you. And I have to accept who you are and what you are.
Richard:
You don’t have to. I want –
(PAN TO RICHARD)
Richard’s Mom:
No I have to, I’m your mother. Come on, I have to. And I love ya.
Richard:
10:19.09 OK.
(CLOSE UP ON HANDS)
Richard:
What do you want me to do? Like I’m so nervous about bringing Pierre here.
(CLOSE UP ON RICHARD)
Mom O.S.:
You know Bill will say something.
Richard:
I don’t know. But I just – I want you guys to meet him.
Richard’s Mom:
Okay.
(MOM AND RICHARD ON COUCH)
Bring him over but I can’t guarantee anything from Bill. You know that. I can’t – I can’t tell Bill what to say or what not to say.
(CLOSE UP ON MOM)
10:19.38 (CUT TO SHOT OF HIGH-RISE)
(STREET SCENE)
Narrator:
In the heart of the gay district in Toronto they are an odd couple.
(ADINA WALKS ON STREET WITH A GUY)
Adina has just gotten reacquainted Ryan, with an old friend from her father’s synagogue.
Ryan V.O.:
10:19.59 I remember like way back when you were younger, running around like
really, really happy and smiling and like being the little rabbi’s daughter. And
you had like the blonde hair, the glasses and a smiling face and a dress. And
then I see you in army attire, ripped fishnets.
Ryan O.C.: You shaved your head.
Adina:
My hair wasn’t shaved … it wasn’t shaved then.
Ryan:
Your head was shaved after and everybody was like oh my God, who’s that? I’m like, what are you, like are you kidding? It looks great. She’s like this little butch (overlap) dyke. Army dyke.
Adina:
10:20.24 I remember .. looking up, the kid with the blue hair who everyone was telling
me was gay when I was like 8. Then you were my fabricated crush for all the
jewish girls.
Ryan:
(laugh) Fabricated crush.
Adina:
… like what boy do you like? I’m like ?? I pretend …Ryan Craft, because I knew that no one, I knew that it would be like – they couldn’t set me up with you. So it worked. Cause yeah.
Ryan:
10:20.47 Did you ever get like beat up or like anything, like harassment, like
harassment central. Like I know that you’re at Triangle now and whatever but
like –
Adina:
The reason I actually left to go to Triangle as that in my old school the social worker sat me down one day and said, Adina, you need to stop talking about the gay stuff because we think the words, the things you have said have had a strong influence on people. And I’m like, are you accusing me of converting people? And they’re like, well we wouldn’t use that word but I guess so. I stood up, turned around, slammed the door and left.
Laurie (O.S.):
10:21.19 I was really angry with the principal and the social worker.
(CUT TO LAURIE ON COUCH)
It didn’t make sense to me that she was at a school for troubled kids and they were going to toss out a troubled kid just for saying that she was lesbian.
(CLOSE UP ON LAURIE)
Adina had a really hard time in school in general and she-
10:21.40 (PHOTO OF A YOUNG ADINA)
-never felt that she quite fit in.
Adina:
(ANOTHER PHOTO OF ADINA)
-I always felt like the outsider because I’d be there hanging out with them and they’d be making-
(ADINA ON CAMERA, EXT)
-you know, whispering jokes to each other. I pretended that I didn’t notice but I always did.
(CUT TO LAURIE ON COUCH)
Laurie:
And that also led to ah a lot of anger, a lot of rage and not knowing how to get accepted by-
10:22.01 (PHOTO OF ADINA INTERVIEW, EXT)
-any friends.
Adina:
It got to the point where I just didn’t want to be at school. And
(CUT TO ADINA, EXTERIOR)
I threatened to kill myself and tried to kill myself just so I wouldn’t have to be there. I couldn’t face it. And looking back on it, I didn’t want to die. I just wanted to escape. I just couldn’t deal with it, you know, all the pressure and all the threats and feeling I didn’t belong anywhere.
10:22.32 (RICHARD SWEEPING UP HAIR IN SALON)
Narrator:
It’s the end of another long day at the hair salon.
(Richard looking out window)
And Richard’s nervous. His boyfriend Pierre is late.
(RICHARD WALKS OUT, BRINGS THE SIGN IN)
Richard:
Now that I've found Pierre, the feelings that I get from him is like the feelings I never really had when I was growing up. Having the feeling of being loved, now that I actually do have that, I want to hold on to that and not let it go.
10:23.12 (CUT TO PIERRE WALKING INTO SALON)
Richard:
Hi.
Pierre:
Hi. How are you?
Richard:
Okay. How are you?
Pierre:
Pretty good. I’m sorry I’m late.
Richard:
Oh it’s okay.
(RICHARD IN THE SALON SAYING GOODBYE)
(RICHARD AND PIERRE WALK OUT)
10:23.39 (RICHARD AND PIERRE IN CAR, SHOT OF KNEE AND HAND ON
GEAR SHIFT)
Richard:
I didn’t think you were showing up at first and … oh my God, I think he forgot.
Pierre:
No I was … My friend from Korea called me.
(BACK OF PIERRE AND RICHARD’S HEADS IN CAR)
Richard:
Who's this?
Pierre:
Oh a guy.
Narrator:
The two boys have been seeing each other almost daily for a month and Richard is still not ready to take him home to meet mom. Instead, they head over to see his best friend Denise.
10:24.02 (SHOT OF RICHARD AND PIERRE IN ELEVATOR)
(RICHARD SINGING)
Narrator:
It’s a kind of dry run.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
(DENISE ANSWERS THE BANGING)
(DENISE AND RICHARD DO KISSES AND GREETING)
Denise:
How are you doing?
Richard:
OK. How are you?
Denise:
I’m good.
Richard:
This is Pierre.
(THEY SHAKE HANDS)
Denise:
10:24.23 Hello. How are you doing?
Pierre:
Nice to meet you.
(THEY KISS)
Denise:
Not as many kisses.
Pierre:
No, no.
Narrator:
Denise and Richard are not only best friends. They also share a special bond. His stepfather, Bill, is also Denise’s biological father and ex-husband of Denise’s mother, Penny.
(IN LIVING ROOM WITH DENISE, PENNY, RICHARD AND PIERRE)
Penny:
10:24.43 So what have you guys been up to lately.
Richard:
We spent the weekend together.
Penny:
Oh. And?
Richard:
He came out to his room mate. He was there.
Denise:
He didn’t know?
Pierre:
Well I think that they kind of knew, you know, having Richard over all the time.
10:25.00 (CLOSE UP OF RICHARD AND PIERRE HOLDING HANDS)
Penny:
You’ve had it hard recently when you lived in North Bay
Pierre:
I mean it’s a very small town. They judge you on everything.
Penny:
That must be tough because your sexuality is such a deep part of you.
Pierre:
I’m a lot more comfortable with my sexuality now.
Penny:
Good.
Pierre:
I just told my mom a few weeks ago actually.
Penny:
So what did she say?
Pierre:
Well she’s still a bit reluctant to even talk about it. But she’s okay I think cause she has a – a gay brother in Toronto.
Penny:
Oh yeah.
Richard:
10:25.31 Every parent, they sort of make plans for their children, like what they would
like to see them do in life. And if what you would like to see them do in life
doesn’t happen, and that’s when you’re like, oh fuck, okay, well what now?
Like my son is gay and this is what I wanted for him, you know.
Denise:
What about your dad?
Pierre:
10:25.48 My dad, actually he passed away two years ago. But he was very – he gave
the image of being very homophobic but our last conversation right before I
left for Korea, he – he accepted me, like for our last conversation. I thank
God for that, that that happened.
Richard:
That’s so nice.
10:26.11 (CLOSE UP ON RICHARD AND PIERRE’S HANDS)
Richard:
Where do you want to go eat after?
(CLOSE UP ON COMPUTER KEYBOARDING, ADAM ON COMPUTER)
Narrator:
10:26.28 For Adam, its just another lonely night.
Adam V.O.:
I met Shy Guy 911 like a week ago so it’s still pretty new so – I don’t think anything is going to happen though because I’m not very comfortable with meeting people over the Net anymore. People don’t tell the truth on here.
Adam O.C.:
People on the Internet can manipulate you really easy. Say oh I really like you and I want to meet you and … you seem like one of the best people I’ve ever met. And I’m like, oh my god, are you serious? And then I want to hook up with them so –
10:27.05 (CUT TO ADAM ON STREET, GETS INTO CAR, NIGHT)
I just ended up meeting with really older men and they’d lied. And plus I was realising I was putting myself in danger getting into people’s cars that I hardly even know, that I’d chatted to for like two days.
(ADAM SITTING IN CAR TALKING)
Nobody like touched me or did anything like that. It was just that they were weirdoes.
(CUT TO ADAM IN STORE)
Adam V.O.:
10:27.31 The thing is with me since I’ve come out I’ve never been on an official date
like
(ADAM WALKING DOWN STREET, NIGHT)
go for a walk on a beach or go to a restaurant. So I hope that one day a guy will come up to me and ask me to go to a restaurant and he’ll take me home and then I’ll just get a kiss and then that’s it.
(A RESTAURANT, TWO GUYS HOLDING HANDS)
Then I’ll know right then and there that this guy has – has some class and he wants to get to know me. It hasn’t happened yet so –
(ADAM AT COMPUTER IN DARK)
(CUT TO RICHARD’S SALON, RICHARD COMING UP STAIRS)
Narrator:
10:28.11 The next morning, Richard’s flirting with danger. He’s three hours late for
work.
Richard V.O.:
When I woke up I knew I was already an hour late. When I went to take a shower, I knew I was already going to be late.
(RICHARD IN SALON)
When I went out for breakfast I knew I was going to be late.
(RICHARD AT WORK)
It didn’t really matter because I was with Pierre so I didn’t really care about anything. Because I know the job down pat and everything and they’re not going to like fire me and go find somebody else because it takes a while to train them. So I only got a lecture. But I understand it was the fact that I was irresponsible.
10:28.51 (CUT TO RICHARD HAVING A CIGARETTE OUTSIDE)
Richard V.O.:
It’s like a bad thing I guess, if you think about it. Like if you’re with somebody and they actually totally make you forget about reality. But then again it’s a really good feeling. So in love, so bad. But it’s good.
(ADINA WALKING DOWN STREET. RYAN AND ADINA PUTTING UP POSTERS)
Narrator:
10:29.13 Adina spreads her gospel in the neighbourhood with the help of her
accomplice, Ryan. She’s putting up posters for a controversial film playing
downtown about the hidden lives of gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews.
Adina V.O.:
10:29.36 According to some people the Jewish law says that I should burn in hell even
though I don’t believe in hell.
Ryan V.O.:
I feel like I’m eating this tape.
Adina V.O.:
You are eating it.
Adina V.O.:
10:29.49 Sorry. Just like in any religion, there is a diversity of opinion. If you actually
open the Bible, the Torah, it says a man cannot lie with a man as a woman or
whatever which is basically a prohibition on gay male sex –
(BOY READING POSTER WHILE RYAN AND ADINA WALK AWAY)
-and that was later interpreted to mean that you can’t have lesbian sex either.
(THE BOY REMOVES THE POSTER AND THROWS IT AWAY)
Adina V.O.:
10:30.22 I can't believe the little kid just like tore it down. Did the little kid even know
what it said? Like the kid can't even read.
(RYAN AND ADINA ON STREET)
Ryan:
… he was staring at it for about five minutes before he went up and started talking to his mom. And his mom was looking at us like whoo, they’re aliens or something.
Adina:
Want to put it back up again?
Ryan:
I think we should go put it back up. Do you want to go put it back up?
Adina:
Why not. Let's throw it up there.
(CUT TO LAURIE ON COUCH)
Laurie:
10:30.45 After her bat mitzvah she did not come out of the closet. Ah there were
difficult things behaviourally but she didn’t come out.
(PHOTO OF ADINA)
V.O.: It was sort of a shock to us. Here was a kid who totally fit in at synagogue,
(PHOTO OF MOM AND ADINA)
up to her bat mitzvah. She could read from the Torah, from the Bible in Hebrew at the drop of a hat. She was one of the top students both in English studies and Hebrew studies.
(CLOSE UP OF ADINA’S PHOTO)
10:31.16 And when she came out of the closet, that’s when it all changed. And that
makes us very sad.
(ADINA LEANING ON FENCE, WALKING ALONG FENCE INTO DISTANCE)
Laurie V.O.:
Adina’s not mature enough yet to realise that she can be Jewish and also be lesbian. I think she has to find a comfortable place within Judaism without feeling she has to run away from it. And up until now she’s been not just running, I mean she’s been racing away from it.
(EXT. TRIANGLE/SKY)
Teacher V.O.:
10:31.55 So Adam,
(CLASS OF STUDENTS)
you’re going to read your coming out story.
Adam:
Okay. All my life I knew I was different from others but often found myself craving the positive and negative attention I got from being different. I was a young boy clueless to what my body and mind was telling me.
(SHOT OF STUDENTS LISTENING)
Narrator:
For the first time in highschool, Adam is not afraid to talk openly about himself in front of the other teenagers.
Adam:
I’d imagine being swept off my feet and taken away somewhere special.
(CLOSE UP ON ADAM)
All I ever wanted is true love. Confused about why I felt so strongly about boys,
(PAN TO HANDS AND NOTES FROM WHICH ADAM IS READING)]
I felt like a beach ball being thrown over and over again, not sure when I would drop and who I would be.
(VARIOUS ANGLES)
Adam V.O.:
10:32.29 I think Triangle has prepared me to realise that this is who I am and to deal
with it not in an emotional way, but you know, like I’m proud to be who I am
and more of a stronger person.
(CLOSE UP ON TEACHER AND ADAM)
Adam O.C.:
10:32.45 Very quickly after grade 8 and my body started to mature and so did my mind
and my perceptions on things. It didn’t take me long to realize I was different
sexually, physically and mentally and felt things most of my friends didn’t. It
was time for me to step up and acknowledge the person I had become.
(CLOSE UP ON STUDENT)
I remember going to a good friend’s place of mine and I was ready to share my little secret with her, a secret I had fought with for so many years.
(CUT TO ADAM READING AND TEACHER IN SHOT)
I arrived at her house later that night. We got into a really deep conversation. And that’s where I finished it.
Teacher:
Oh. You knew that was coming though. It’s a good story. I think you’ve done a really nice job with it.
(DIFFERENT CAMERA ANGLE)
It’s a real process so yea for you.
10:33.27 (PIERRE AND RICHARD OUTSIDE APARTMENT BUILDING)
Richard:
So are you nervous about going up to meet my parents?
Pierre:
A little bit yeah
Richard:
Are you?
Pierre:
Especially with Bill.
Richard:
Yeah. Well I don’t think he’ll go that far. Like I said, he’ll ask questions.
Pierre:
Like what?
Richard:
So what makes you gay and shit like that.
10:33.50 (PIERRE AND RICHARD WALKING TO BUILDING)
Richard:
But it’s okay. Like I’ll handle everything.
Pierre:
Okay.
Richard:
So don’t be afraid.
(PIERRE AND RICHARD IN HALLWAY)
Richard:
Listen. (laughter) I feel like I’m walking into a church.
(RICHARD KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Richard’s Mom V.O.:
Come on in.
Richard:
(laughter) I’m so scared. OK. Let me breathe in through my nose.
(RICHARD OPENS DOOR)
(BILL IS PLAYING THE ORGAN)
Richard:
10:34.18 Bill, this is Pierre. That’s Bill.
Bill:
Pierre? Did I ever meet you before?
Pierre:
No we haven’t yet, sir.
(PIERRE AND BILL SHAKE HANDS)
Bill:
Oh you’re lucky.
Pierre:
Oh okay.
Richard’s Mom:
Sir? Don’t call him that. That will go to his frickin’ head. What’s the matter with you, boy?
Richard:
Oh my God.
Richard’s Mom:
Sir? (laugh)
(MOM AT KITCHEN SINK, BILL AND THE BOYS SEATED)
Bill:
10:34.38 I don’t object to gays getting together promoting good welfare. And I don’t
object to gay people living together, doing things together.
Richard:
What do you think about like gay marriages? Like if I ever – Did your perception of the whole homosexuality thing change?
Bill:
No.
(CUT TO MOM IN KITCHEN)
Bill:
(O.S.) I mean you could bring Gabriel in here or John the Baptist. It’s not going to change my perception. (O.C.) I think like marriage, belongs to men and women. And I’m not going to change that. I’m not homophobic.
10:35.20 (MOM SITTING ON COUCH)
Bill:
What’s the purpose of marriage-
(BILL AND THE BOYS)
besides you can have sex legally and nobody will call it fornication? It’s to produce. Life must produce. Otherwise life becomes extinct. The law of nature is that it’s male and female.
(SHOT OF MOM ON COUCH)
Richard’s Mom:
10:35.40 I don't think its right. If you're going to get married to a guy, don't tell me
about it.
Richard:
Why?
Richard’s Mom:
Because you know me. I’ll flip.
Richard:
Why would you flip though?
Richard’s Mom:
Because I think it’s disgusting.
Richard:
What’s disgusting about it? Do I go and freak out when I see two straight people getting married?
Richard’s Mom:
That’s different, Richard.
Richard:
Why, because it’s accepted.
Richard’s Mom:
10:36.00 Because two straight – because two straight people aren’t stickin’ their dicks
up – sorry.
Richard:
Marriage isn’t about like sexual whatever, mom.
Richard’s Mom:
Sorry. My opinion, it’s disgusting. And yeah, I gotta admit, it does freak me out. (overlapping) … That’s why I don’t talk about it too much. That’s why I keep it inside. Because it’s disgusting.
(SHOT OF BILL AND THE BOYS SILENT)
10:36.32 (EXT SHOT OF TRIANGLE SCHOOL)
Narrator:
It’s graduation day at Triangle.
(ADINA AND DAD SITTING AT GRADUATION)
But for Adina, something more significant has already happened.
Laurie:
10:36.47 I couldn’t go to Adina’s graduation.
(ADINA’S MOM ON COUCH)
I had a really bad day with my neck and we wanted at least one parent to be there for Adina.
(SHOT OF BACK OF DAD’S HEAD)
And believe me, my husband was not pleased about being the representative of the family. And he kept on saying,
(PAN TO BACK OF ADINA’S HEAD)
well she won’t be hurt, she won’t be hurt. And I kept on saying she deserves to have a parent there.
(CLOSE UP OF TRIANGLE GRADUATION PROGRAM)
Minister:
10:37.08 We’re very pleased here at MCC Toronto to be able to host the Triangle
program.
(ON CAMERA) We can be a very staid and conservative church sometimes and the Triangle program has added a lot of colour and flamboyance to the building and so we’re glad that you’re here.
(CUT TO AUDIENCE MEMBERS)
The student of the year award this year for the first time is going to two people. So, could Adina come forward please?
(ADINA STANDS UP AND WALKS TO PODIUM. AUDIENCE APPLAUSE)
Laurie V.O.:
when he did go, he saw that the Triangle program was-
(ADINA AT THE PODIUM)
-such an awesome program and that gay and lesbian people don’t have to be so different from everybody else.
Adina at podium:
10:37.46 I’m reading a bit from a story I wrote called How Love Came To Be. Once
the Earth, heavens and creatures had been created, the goddess decided that
something was missing.
(CLOSE UP ON ADINA’S FATHER)
So she came up with the solution. She created love.
(CUT TO AUDIENCE)
So the goddess called all of the chemists in the heaven’s to her chamber to help them concoct the love potion.
(ADINA ON PODIUM)
sure enough the powder did create love. Humans were chasing each other, full of lust. They lusted after every kind of creature. The goddess was upset. This isn’t what I wanted, she yelled. I wanted love not just lust.
(CUT TO AUDIENCE)
10:38.18 The goddess kicked everyone out of the lab and shut herself in for 49 days.
On the 50th day she opened the door and walked out, holding a jar of pink
gas. Humans started to feel attractions to each other. Mothers and daughters,
sons and fathers and other relatives felt inexplicable deep emotional bonds
with each other. Men and women, women and women and men and men,
though not just lust but love for each other. True unbreakable relationships
now existed on Earth.
(ADINA WALKS AWAY FROM PODIUM)
(APPLAUSE)
10:38.58 (ADINA WALKS TO HER SEAT WITH HER FATHER)
Laurie V.O.:
When he came back home he was almost in tears. It allowed him to relate to Adina much more than he had and he still talks about how moving that whole graduation program was. I mean I wish there could be a graduation program every month. It would keep him going. (chuckle)
(RICHARD LOOKING OUT WINDOW)(PHONE RINGS)
Richard:
10:39.30 Richard speaking. How may I help you?
Narrator:
A phone call changes everything for Richard,
(CLOSE UP RICHARD SMOKING)
when his boyfriend Pierre decides to end the relationship.
(RICHARD ON STAIRS)
Richard:
10:39.42 He wasn’t taking my calls all the time and he was lying and stuff. I’m like do
you really want a relationship? And he’s like, well I just want to keep
everything on like …. for now. I don’t mind just having like sex and fooling
around once in a while, but when it comes to being committed, he’s like I’m
not ready for that.
(NIGHT, STREET SCENE)
Richard:
I feel very disappointed. I really do feel as if I need somebody to be in my life, to experience things with me and so like I can love and they can love me back. It’s just been really confusing. There’s a lot in question now about love, about everything.
(RICHARD WALKING DOWN STREET, NIGHT)
Narrator:
10:40.46 But the night holds some nasty surprises. A spiked drink and suddenly
Richard is caught in an ugly spiral into darkness.
(BLACK SCENE)
Richard V.O.:
When he bought me a drink and I noticed there was no cap on and I should have suspected something. I totally blacked out.
(INT. BATHHOUSE)
10:41.12 And I remember he went into my pockets to get the money and he paid for me
and him to go in the bathhouse…
I remember opening my eyes when I was in the bed and this guy I didn’t even know
(CLOSE UP ON BED)
-was having sex with me. I don’t know if I would call it rape. A lot of people said it was but I think it’s just like a harsh word to use.
(EXT NIGHT STREET SCENE)
10:41.46 I remember going home. I just took a bath and I started crying, … bawling my
eyes … God how can I put myself in a position like this?
(ADINA DRESSING)
Laurie V.O.:
10:42.04 Adina is going to be going to synagogue for the first time in close to a year
and a half. I can’t tell you how critical or how important it is that she is going
back now. Up until now my husband had totally banned her from synagogue
but I think it shows a real shift in his attitude and his fear of how people will
react. Even though she’s the rabbi’s daughter, he’s willing to take the chance
that the people at the synagogue – and there will be thousands of people at the
synagogue – maybe they’ll also accept her for who she is.
(SINGING PRAYER)
10:42.55 (ADINA WALKING UP STAIRS IN SYNAGOGUE)
(CLOSE UP, RABBI SINGING PRAYER)
10:43.14 (ADINA JOINS IN SINGING)
Adina V.O.:
Judaism in general, even if I don’t agree with all the doctrine and all of the rules and the laws-
(CLOSE UP ON PRAYER BOOK)
-that are supposedly from God, I believe in a God. And I appreciate the culture and the tradition of Judaism if not all of the religious aspects. So it’s not that easy just to give it up.
(CLOSE UP ON ADINA SING PRAYER)
10:43.47 (PHOTOS OF ADINA AS CHILD)
(ADINA’S ROOM)
Adina:
… I need help-
Laurie:
No problem.
Adina:
-with the jacket.
Laurie:
Whoa.
Adina:
What?
Laurie:
It’s a big deal huh?
Adina:
… When did Abba wore this thing. I’ve never seen him wear it.
Narrator:
10:44.13 Adina refers to her father using the traditional Hebrew name, Abba. He’s
offered her his own tuxedo for prom night.
Laurie:
It’s a 42 waist. I think now he’s like a 59 waist.
Adina:
65 … 777.
Laurie:
Well you’re going to have to squish into it a little bit so –
Laurie:
No I’m not.
Laurie:
Have you ever tried it out?
Adina:
I wore it 25 times. It fits me perfectly.
Laurie:
10:44.36 Okay good. So how do you feel that you’re wearing a 42 shirt-
Adina:
Can you shut up.
(ADINA STOMPS OUT)
Laurie:
Okay. Come, come come.
(ADINA SLAMS A DOOR)
Laurie:
Adina, I want to help you, honey.
(ADINA FROM BEHIND THE DOOR)
(LAURIE STANDS AT THE DOOR)
Laurie:
Adina?
Adina:
What?
Laurie:
Let’s start from the beginning because I didn’t mean to do anything to annoy you. Let’s try it on –
(ADINA OPENS THE DOOR AND COMES INTO HER BEDROOM)
-and get all ready to –
Adina:
10:45.10 Whatever. Okay. Well which colour ….
Laurie V.O.:
Adina decided that she really wanted to go back to the Triangle program next year and I’ll tell you, she was so happy there that both Phil and I accepted that maybe that’s the best place for her next year. Now it seems to give her a lot of meaning.
Adina:
10:45.36 I want your honest opinion.
Laurie:
Well you’re safe with black.
Laurie V.O.:
And this kid is so smart that lesbian or not lesbian, I think she belongs at university taking anything she wants to take. I mean I think the whole world is open to her.
Adina:
That works right?
Laurie:
Adina, you’re going to look like a knockout.
10:45.59 (ADINA WALKING DOWN STAIRS)
Laurie O.S.:
Whoa! Look at you!
Adina:
You’re such a loser.
(LAURIE AND ADINA AT BOTTOM OF STAIRS)
Laurie:
No. You know what? It actually looks great.
Adina:
Okay and you’re a loser. …
Laurie:
I can give you a hard time with compliments, huh? You look great. You’re going to be great at the prom.
Adina:
10:46.21 Thank you
Laurie:
Going to go for Prom King?
Adina:
Yeah.
Laurie:
Great.
Laurie:
You never can take a compliment well.
Laurie:
I’m really proud of you and you know what?
Adina:
What?
Laurie:
10:46.37 Your Abba is also really proud.
Adina:
I know.
(NIGHT STREET SCENE)
(PROM SHOTS)
Emcee: (O.S.)
10:46.50 This year's theme for Pride in uncensored.
EMCEE: (O.C.)
It means the freedom to walk down the street holding hands, (applause) the freedom to kiss whomever you want. (cheers) And the freedom to go to the prom with whomever you want. (cheers)
(SHOTS OF KIDS DANCING)
10:47.18 Emcee.: Okay this is what you’ve all been waiting for. Ready? I’m so excited.
I’m so nervous. Okay ready? For King we have – Adina! (cheers) Adina!
Come over, Adina! Come up Adina! Congratulations! Whoo!
(ADINA AND EMCEE)
(A CROWN IS PUT ON HER HEAD)
congratulations.
Adina:
Thank you.
Emcee:
Want to say anything, Adina?
(ADINA TAKES THE MICROPHONE)
Adina:
10:47.52 Sure. Thank you to everyone who voted for me. When I run for prime
minister please vote for me too.
(cheers)
Emcee:
Ah. Adina, Adina, stay over here. Stay over here. Right there.
Adina V.O.:
10:48.05 Things have changed so much. I’m really happy. Me and my mother still fight
occasionally but it’s the normal mother-daughter stuff.
Emcee:
Queen for the red hot Pride Prom… Flo!
(WINNER COMES UP TO STAGE, HUGS ADINA)
Adina V.O.:
I have lots of friends and I feel really accepted and you know –
(KING AND QUEEN ON STAGE)
Emcee:
King and Queen, Adina and Flo
Adina V.O.:
10:48.25 And with my father, he started to talk a lot more again now. He says he loves
me and you know, he wants me to be happy. So it’s a lot better now. Life is
great.
Narrator:
10:48.42 It’s been four months since Richard dropped out. But he comes back tonight
to the safe haven he left behind.
(EXT RICHARD SMOKING)
Denise:
Are you enjoying yourself?
Richard:
Yeah, I am actually.
Denise:
Would you like it more if Pierre was here?
Richard:
I would. Well it’s something big in somebody's life. And I feel if I’m going to take somebody it would be you. Cause we've been through together. Like he doesn't compare nothing when he’s beside you. Like he’s nothing. You know what I mean?
Denise:
10:49.12 Honestly, I feel the same way about you. Like nobody, nobody at all that I
know could ever fill your shoes.
(INT PROM DANCING COUPLE)
(ADAM AND FAMILY IN BACKYARD EATING)
(SHOT OF ADAM AND FATHER AT TABLE)
Mother:
10:49.34 Are you feeling a little nervous, Adam?
Adam:
Hm?
Mother:
Feel a little nervous about going?
Adam:
Mhm.
(CLOSE UP ON ADAM)
Narrator:
Adam's work at Triangle is over. He's decided to face whatever is in store for him at his new mainstream highschool
Dad:
Who knows, when you get there you’ll enjoy it like you did Triangle. You were pretty nervous that day.
10:49.54 (SHOT OF ADAM’S LEGS TWITCHING)
(STREET SCENE. ADAM GOING TO SCHOOL.)
Adam V.O.:
I’m a little bit worried. I’m not even scared about the gay issue which is funny. I’m so comfortable with that now. I’m scared about missing other things, you know, physical appearance and all that, which I guess every teenager struggles with. But now I’m at the point where I’m struggling with it because it’s starting to bother me. I’m also scared about competition, you know. It’s an art school so I just hope that I’m also really good and they like what I can do so--. I’m going in there to dance and sing. Am I going to be one of the good dancers or am I going to be one of the ones that don’t get to do anything, that’s always in the back? Am I going to be one of the good singers, you know, to get the main roles and stuff? Cause that’s what I want in my head but I have to think logically that there are really talented kids out there my age and I may not be number one. That’s what I’m really scared of.
FADE TO BLACK
10:51.35 ROLL END CREDITS
10:52.35 END PROGRAM
10:00.06 SCENES OF PROM.
Narrator:
In Toronto a June ritual unfolds.
Emcee:
Welcome to the Red Hot Pride Prom (cheers)
Narrator:
The queer high school prom. Off limits for everyone else. For three lives that briefly intertwine here, this is their story.
Emcee:
10:00.26 Adina, two words why you want to be king.
Adina:
Okay. One word. Supercalifragilisticexpealedocious.
Adina: As the rabbi’s daughter, they expected me to be the same as everyone else. Not just to be one of the kids but to be –
(CUT TO CLOSE INTERVIEW)
-the model child at the school and to conform exactly what the school wanted. And I did the exact opposite.
10:00.47 (CUT TO ADAM AT THE PROM)
Adam:
I never thought about it. It was not something that I sat at home and thought, oh you’re gay. It didn’t happen until probably when I was 15, 16, you know.
(CUT TO PROM)
But what hurt is that people had already made my choice before I could even come out.
Richard:
10:01.12 My mom doesn’t like gay people at all. I know she’s my mom and I love her
and stuff like that but she’s –
(CUT TO INTERVIEW OUTSIDE NIGHT MEDIUM CLOSE UP)
-another person who I just look at, … who makes homophobic remarks and just think, okay, you know, I’m at a higher level than that so – just move on with my life.
(CUT TO PROM)
10:01.26 TITLE: CLASS QUEERS
(STREET SCENES INTERCUT WITH ADAM WALKING DOWN STREET)
Narrator:
10:01.35 Whitby, Ontario, a manicured place on the outskirts of Toronto where Adam
lives with his family.
Adam:
10:01.47 Living in a small town and going to a high school there were a couple of the
hardest years of my life. Because at times I remember coming home and just bawling.
I basically had nowhere to go and no one I could talk to. And I was left to fend for myself.
(ADAM WALKING ALONG A CHAIN LINK FENCE)
10:02.09 For the three years that I was here it was a living hell. This place was like a
jail. Like … how bad I wanted to leave and my parents wanted me to stay here. It started in grade six.
(PHOTO OF YOUNG ADAM PANNING TO A CLOSE UP)
I was seeing a guidance counsellor and I had told him that I wasn’t feeling really good about myself because I felt different from everyone else. So he brought in the two popular boys in the school at that time and maybe they could teach me how to walk normal-
(ADAM INTERVIEW IN FRONT OF SCHOOL)
10:02.41 - So, I got out in the hall and of course-
(ADAM DEMONSTRATES THE WALKS)
-how I walk, I always had like a little – the hips and – and I did this a lot when I was younger and my hand was always like this. My mom would always be slapping it down. But anyways ah –
they walk like you know they have the big baggy jeans and the big sweaters. They were like, you know, just – whatever – acting like thugs. And ah so they got me trying to walk like this. So I’m walking like this down the hallway and ah it didn’t last for that long because I did it that once and I don’t think I ever carried it on again. I still walked the same, my arms go like this.
(ADAM SITTING CROSS LEGGED. V.O.)
10:03.24 I look back on it now and it just – it was awful. It is humiliating that
somebody would actually do that and try to change the person that I was. Like they were probably laughing inside and they thought it was a big joke.
Narrator:
(LEGS WALKING IN A SCHOOL)
10:03.43 But over the years, corridor jokes escalate into something else. The breaking
point will come after a teacher's impromptu comment in the classroom
Adam V.O.:
He brought up that if you’re going to accept homosexuality then you might as well accept bestiality and Paul Bernardo.
Narrator:
A school investigation, an apology from the teacher. But Adam's parents decide it is not enough.
Adam’s Mom:
(INTERVIEW, NIGHT, PORCH)
10:04.11 So then you start thinking, okay what kind of a school do I have my son in?
Where, he constantly gets ridiculed, now not only from the students but now the teachers can do it too. And that to me as a turning point about I have to get him out of there.
10:04.29 (CHURCH BELLS, CHURCH WINDOW, PEWS)
Narrator:
In East End Toronto, this church serves the city's gay community. And tucked away in the basement in a location kept secret by the Toronto School Board is a refuge for queer teenagers.
(CAMERA PANS THROUGH CHURCH, DOWN STAIRS)
Gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, they come here to attend a high school program known simply as Triangle.
Teacher V.O.:
10:04.57 Who knows the history of the Triangle?
(CUT TO FAR SHOT - CLASSROOM)
Voice:
Adina does.
Teacher:
Lots of people do. Richard, what’s the history of the Triangle?
Richard:
The history of the Triangle was when the triangle was placed on all homosexuals in the Holocaust to identify them.
Teacher:
What colour?
Richard:
It was fuchsia.
Voice: Pink.
(CUT TO CLOSER SHOT OF TEACHER AND ADAM)
Teacher:
10:05.13 Why do you think they used pink for gay men? Why not like you know –
Adam:
A girly colour.
Teacher:
Because it’s a girly colour, absolutely right.
(CLOSE UP ON ADAM’S PROFILE)
So guys are supposed to be strong and masculine so it was an attempt to shame them.
Teacher Interview:
There’s still homophobia in the world –
(CLOSE UP ON ADINA)
-and these kids are getting the brunt of it.
(TEACHER ON CAMERA, EXTERIOR)
They’re actually being beaten. They get nasty notes in their locker. They get threats of death.
(CUT TO CLASSROOM)
And that’s why we’re needed.
Teacher:
(IN CLASSROOM)
10:05.33 How many people do you think have written about being gay and being in the
Holocaust?
Teacher Interview V.O.:
They come here as a safe haven, a place to gain –
(CLOSE UP ON BLONDE STUDENT)
-some solid identity for themselves-
(CLOSE UP ON ANOTHER STUDENT)
-and feel normal as well.
Teacher V.O.:
Why is it important that we know these stories?
Adam:
Because how it was (CLOSE UP ON ADAM’S PROFILE) back then, they weren’t allowed to be so open and express themselves for who they were. So I have to realize that I – I’m lucky in a way.
Teacher:
Yeah, yeah.
Adam:
10:06.01 Even though it didn’t feel like it, like my whole life but I’ve been a lot luck-
luckier than they were so –
(CLOSE UP ON STUDENT)
Teacher V.O.:
Yeah. Well that’s a nice way of putting it.
Richard:
10:06.09 (singing V.O.) Jesus (ON CAMERA PUTTING ON SHAVING LATHER)
you are my joy …
Narrator:
Monday morning and Richard’s got a plan.
Richard:
-the way. You’re the –
Narrator:
He’s fed up with the chaos at home. He can't keep up with the work at school. Safe haven or not, he's dropping out of Triangle.
Richard:
Jesus you are, yeah.
Narrator:
He’s getting ready for work at his new job where he hopes to make enough money to get a place with his first serious boyfriend.
Richard:
(SINGING) -Well let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Narrator:
10:06.55 As for the apartment he shares with his mother and stepfather Bill, he’s tired
of setting up camp in the junk room.
Richard:
(RICHARD IN DOORWAY OF HIS ROOM, TURNS ON LIGHT)
Well this is my room when I sleep over here which I don’t do very often actually. This cart isn’t supposed to be here. It’s supposed to be out in the living room. But considering I haven’t been here for the past three weeks, they started piling stuff in here. That’s the futon I used to sleep on as a temporary room or whatever, a bed. .And the living room, my parents always watch TV till like 3 or 4 in the morning. It was like I couldn’t get any sleep at that time. So then I made them clear out a little space in this room so I could at least have some privacy to myself, which is like again so crappy by the looks of it.
(CAMERA PANS AROUND THE ROOM)
10:07.43 But this is my space. My personal space. My privacy. Which isn’t really
much to call it actually. But I have to say it’s better than the living room. It’s
way better. Yep. This is it.
10:08.07 (CLOSE UP ON RICHARD’S HAND IN SINK AT WORK RUNNING
WATER)
Narrator:
With school now out of the way,
(MEDIUM SHOT OF RICHARD AT SINK)
-Richard can really concentrate on the demands of his first full-time job.
Client O.S.:
Because you were in school the last time I saw you.
Richard O.S.
Yeah I was in school.
(RICHARD DOING CLIENT’S HAIR)
Actually the school that I was going to wasn’t really working out.
Client O.S.:
So you left?
Richard:
10:08.29 Yeah. I didn’t really like it. It was full – it was an all gay school which is cool
but – the curriculum and the literature that they were teaching, you know,
wasn’t benefiting me at all. Like just gay literature and stuff like that.
(CLOSE UP ON CLIENT)
It’s like I want something that I can use when I go to university or college.
Client:
Right.
Richard:
So that –
Client O.S.:
(PAN TO RICHARD)
So this is a different kind of school or what was it?
Richard:
Well it’s actually a part of the Toronto School board.
(CLOSE UP ON RICHARD’S HANDLING CLIENT’S HAIR)
And there’s like three teachers and all the teachers are gay or lesbian.
(CUT TO RICHARD)
Client O.S.:
Oh okay.
Richard:
Which is cool but –
(CLIENT AND RICHARD FROM BACK)
Richard:
It’s all done.
Richard:
10:09.03 Your iced tea is over there?
Client:
Yeah it’s over there with my purse.
Richard:
Do you want me to get you a new one because it’s probably warm.
Richard:
Are you sure?
Client:
Alright, okay.
(RICHARD WALKS AWAY)
(CUT TO RICHARD EMPTYING GARBAGE, GOING OUTSIDE WITH GARBAGE BAG, LIGHTING UP A CIGARETTE, DUMPING GARBAGE BAG)
10:09.57 (CHURCH BELLS, CHURCH EXT, CHURCH INT)
Richard:
With the salon we have an exclusive hair extension product from Germany
(RICHARD GOING UP STAIRS)
Narrator:
Lunch time at Triangle.
Richard:
-just walking in from like all over the world.
Narrator:
Richard’s back. But only to pick up his belongings, say goodbye to some friends and face his teachers one last time.
(RICHARD WALKING DOWN HALLWAY WITH STUDENT)
Richard:
… get your hair coloured and everything.
Student:
10:10.19 So where did you meet this boy?
Richard:
Okay ?? I'm gonna tell you. It’s actually very funny.
(RICHARD TALKING TO STUDENTS IN LUNCH ROOM)
He’s 21.
Students:
Hm.
Richard:
And we’re going to get a place together which I think is so cool.
Student:
Aw, he’s so cool.
Richard:
And he’s really good looking. I think I have a picture of him which is even pathetic.
(RICHARD GETTING PHOTO AND SHOWING IT)
It’s like I printed it off the computer. And we were in the Jacuzzi last night. My parents sort of got one.
Richard:
10:10.37 You can’t really see it that well but he’s so adorable.
Adina:
Oh he’s cute.
Voice:
Aw.
Richard:
He’s so cute.
Teacher:
(EATING AT A LONG TABLE. CLOSE UP ON TEACHER.)
So ah do they pay you well?
(CAMERA PANS OVER TO RICHARD)
Richard:
Oh yeah. I get paid $400 a week.
Teacher O.S.:
Really? (Richard nods) Wow. No wonder you’re not coming back to school. (laughter)
(CLOSE UP OF HANDS AND SANDWICH)
Teacher V.O.:
But you really are committed to finish?
Richard V.O.:
Yeah. Definitely. I need to go back to school.
Teacher:
Well you do.
(CUT TO TEACHER)
10:10.58 Don’t get hooked into the money thing.
Richard V.O.:
I know.
Teacher:
It looks really good but it’s –
(CUT TO RICHARD)
Richard:
Next year it’s going to be the year that I crack down. Like I’m gonna like be so dedicated, so like committed to absolutely everything.
Teacher V.O.:
Richard just take one step at a time okay?
(CAMERA PANS OVER TO TEACHER)
Richard:
I know.
TEACHER:
Cause I know sometimes you get, you know, all these plans and then it’s harder to follow through if you don’t just –
Richard:
If you’re gonna talk the talk –
Teacher:
Yeah, take one step at a time here,
(CUT TO RICHARD)
okay? (chuckle)
Denise.(O.S.):
10:11.22 Are you dropping out?
(RICHARD AND YOUNG WOMAN OUTSIDE)
Richard:
I am.
Woman:
Why?
Richard:
Because-
(CLOSE UP ON YOUNG WOMAN)
I just – I just – school wasn’t for me. Like even – it’s not –
Narrator:
When she catches wind of the news,
(LONG SHOT OF DENISE AND RICHARD)
Richard’s best friend Denise rushes over to confront him.
(CLOSE SHOT OF DENISE AND RICHARD)
Richard:
With my marks below, you know what I mean, I always get in shit, always get suspended.
Denise:
That was because you didn’t work enough.
Richard:
I know.
Denise:
What’s going to make it so different next year?
Richard:
Well because I think I’m going to change. Everything about me is changing, Denise. With the job now it’s like I’m developing skills. Like I’m getting on time. I’m getting up at like 6:00 every morning whereas with school I’d get up at 10:30 and school starts at 9:30.
Denise:
10:11.56 Yeah but you’re still like – you’re not going to want to go back next year.
Richard:
I think I will.
Denise:
Obviously if you’re doing so good now and you’re like, you have a job and everything.
Richard:
That’s the thing. Like as my best friend, Denise,
(CLOSE UP ON DENISE)
I don’t want you to think like that. When I’m telling you I’m going back to school next year, I want you to believe me.
(SHOT OF SCHOOL AND DOOR)
School means everything.
10:12.12 (CUT TO ADINA AND RICHARD IN CLASSROOM, RICHARD
CLEANING OUT HIS STUFF)
Adina:
Homophobia unit
Richard:
Homophobia. That’s garbage. We’ll save folders because we’re part of Greenpeace right?
Adina:
Exactly. Good for the environment …
Richard:
You do good in school.
Adina:
Yes totally
Richard:
And don’t do too much partying. Cause I know how you are
(RICHARD LEAVING)
Richard:
You guys have fun.
(ADINA WAVING)
Students:
Bye, Richie.
Adina:
Bye.
10:12.34 (EXT, STREET)
Narrator:
Friday evening, sunset.
(MAN ON CELL PHONE ON STREET)
North Toronto feels like another world. A world defined by Jewish rules and ritual. Strict religious laws with little room for deviation.
10:12.59 (ADINA AT HOME IN KITCHEN, SETTING TABLE)
Adina’s Mom:
Adina in general I commend you. You do a lot more reading of newspapers in general than I do at all.
Adina:
What else is new? You don’t understand half of it? Your like politics, what? What does that mean?
Adina’s Mother:
Adina, I’m also half blind. I mean –
Adina:
You’re also politically inept.
Adina’s Mother:
That’s true.
Adina:
With the political intelligence of a 3 year old.
Narrator:
10:13.24 On the eve of Shabat, the Jewish Sabbath, Adina is expected to help her
mother prepare the family table especially after complications from surgery
left Laurie unable to lift her neck.
(ADINA READING A NEWSPAPER)
Laurie O.S.:
Okay I don’t mind but you do know that when you set at a table you don’t put the knife and the fork on the same side.
(CLOSE UP ON ADINA)
Adina:
10:13.45 Do I care?
Laurie O.S.:
Adina, you put the knife on the right hand side and the fork under the napkin
(CAMERA PANS AROUND KITCHEN) on the left hand side. That’s social etiquette.
Adina:
Sorry, I skipped Home Ec.
Laurie O.S.:
She sat down one Friday night on the couch and she said, mom, I’ve got something to tell you but it’s going to be –
(Laurie on couch)
-really hard. She was – I mean it took her about 20 minutes to calm down. I put my hand around her shoulder and I said, Adina, I know this is hard. But I love you and whatever you tell me I’m still gonna love you.
(CLOSE UP ON ADINA)
Adina:
10:14.22 I sort of chickened out. It was like, um, um, um, I’m – bisexual. And then a
week later she’s like – she started talking to me about if I get, you know,
when I get married. And I’m like I’m not getting married.
(Adina lighting candles, V.O.)
And then a week later I was like, you know what, screw it. … Ema, I’m a lesbian, okay? I’m not getting married. And then she went and told my father.
Narrator:
10:14.52 Adina's father is usually home for this weekly religious tradition. (ADINA
PRAYING OVER LIT CANDLES IN HEBREW)
But he is not ready to appear on camera or talk publicly about his daughter's sexuality.
(LAURIE AND ADINA AT KITCHEN TABLE)
Laurie V.O.:
When my husband found out, I mean it was similar to me in that he was hoping and praying it was a phase simply because it’s difficult to be Jewish and also be a lesbian.
(ADINA RECITING HEBREW PRAYER)
Laurie V.O.:
10:15.15 Adina and my husband are unbelievably close
(ADINA BREAKING BREAD. SHOT OF EMPTY CHAIR AT TABLE)
-and he really pulled back. He didn’t talk about it a lot and he couldn’t. But he really pulled back from Adina for a while.
(ADINA EATING WITH MOTHER)
Laurie O.S.:
That’s …
Adina:
Yeah it’s good.
Adina:
He hasn’t even talked to me, you know. He talked to my mother, had her talk to me.
(CLOSE UP OF ADINA)
But for two months it was just at total cold shoulder. And I’d walk by and maybe he’d grunt that I, you know, to acknowledge that I exist but we wouldn’t talk. And we just – there was always this really weird tension between us –
(SHOT OF ADINA AND LAURIE AT TABLE)
-and that’s hard.
Adina.:
10:15.51 I never knew until like a few years ago that I liked girls. I knew I never liked
boys.
Laurie:
Oh okay. That’s different.
Adina:
Right, you get it.
Laurie:
Yeah. When were you aware though that you liked girls?
Adina:
Probably 12.
Laurie:
So at your bat mitzvah?
Adina:
Yeah.
Laurie:
So why did you dance with all the boys?
Adina:
Because I was expected to.
Adina V.O.:
10:16.16 … because I’m a rabbi’s daughter to get married to a nice Jewish man and
have two point five kids and live in a house with a white picket fence and a
dog.
(CLOSE UP ON ADINA)
Adina O.C.:
I’ll only be happy if I live my life the way that I need to and the way that I should. And I can’t – I can’t live the life that he's wishing for me.
(LAURIE ON COUCH)
Laurie O.C.:
10:16.32 She wants to stand up on a big pedestal and shout out to the world, I’m a
lesbian! Accept me! Love me!
(ADINA AT TABLE)
Laurie V.O.:
She sticks out like a sore thumb and everybody knows who she is.
(LAURIE ON COUCH O.C.)
So my husband didn’t want that kind of flak and he banned her from coming to synagogue.
10:16.50 (IN SYNAGOGUE, SINGING PRAYER O.S.)
Laurie:
He has a very prominent role
(SHOT OF SYNAGOGUE)
in the Jewish community and he feels that if people find out
(ADINA SITTING ON SYNAGOGUE STEPS)
that she’s lesbian that it will have a major impact on him as a very important Jewish leader in the community.
10:17.25 (LONG SHOT, ADINA SITTING ON SYNAGOGUE STEPS)
(Richard walking along street)
Narrator:
With his stepfather Bill away at work, Richard psyches himself up to let his mother in on his new plan. He’s moving out
(PAN ON APARTMENT BUILDING)
with his new boyfriend, someone she’s never met.
Richard’s Mom: (O.S.)
10:17.48 So when are you bringing him over here so I can meet him.
(CUT TO RICHARD AND MOM ON COUCH)
Richard:
Why do you want to meet him?
Richard’s Mom:
Well gee, Richard, I don’t know. I met my daughter’s boyfriend. Don’t you think I have a right to meet my son’s boyfriend?
Richard:
Yeah.
(CLOSE UP OF RICHARD’S HAND WITH CIGARETTE)
But I know the way you are. Like how do you feel?
(CUT TO RICHARD AND MOM ON COUCH)
Richard’s Mom:
10:18.05 I refuse to answer that.
Richard:
Please.
Richard’s Mom:
No. I can’t, Richard.
Richard:
But I want you to.
Richard’s Mom:
No I can’t.
Richard:
Why?
Richard’s Mom:
Because-
(CLOSE UP ON RICHARD)
-you know – you know that it upsets me. Because I thought I done
(RICHARD AND MOM ON COUCH)
better. I thought I brought you and Crystal up better for the last 12 years by myself. And yeah it hurts
(CLOSE UP ON RICHARD)
-the lifestyle that you have.
10:18.30 (CLOSE-UP ON MOM)
(CLOSE UP RICHARD LIGHTING A CIGARETTE)
(RICHARD AND MOM)
Richard:
I understand what you’re going through but because I have feelings that I can’t control –
(CLOSE UP ON RICHARD’S HANDS AND ASHTRAY)
-and you know that I’m your son and that I’m gay, why can’t you change that?
(CLOSE UP ON MOM)
Richard’s Mom:
10:18.47 In my opinion I feel like I failed.
Richard:
But you didn’t fail.
Richard’s Mom:
Well-
Richard:
Because the way I look at my life right now I’m like wow, the way I was before –
Richard’s Mom:
No I’m happy that you – I’m happy that your life is going better for you. And I have to accept who you are and what you are.
Richard:
You don’t have to. I want –
(PAN TO RICHARD)
Richard’s Mom:
No I have to, I’m your mother. Come on, I have to. And I love ya.
Richard:
10:19.09 OK.
(CLOSE UP ON HANDS)
Richard:
What do you want me to do? Like I’m so nervous about bringing Pierre here.
(CLOSE UP ON RICHARD)
Mom O.S.:
You know Bill will say something.
Richard:
I don’t know. But I just – I want you guys to meet him.
Richard’s Mom:
Okay.
(MOM AND RICHARD ON COUCH)
Bring him over but I can’t guarantee anything from Bill. You know that. I can’t – I can’t tell Bill what to say or what not to say.
(CLOSE UP ON MOM)
10:19.38 (CUT TO SHOT OF HIGH-RISE)
(STREET SCENE)
Narrator:
In the heart of the gay district in Toronto they are an odd couple.
(ADINA WALKS ON STREET WITH A GUY)
Adina has just gotten reacquainted Ryan, with an old friend from her father’s synagogue.
Ryan V.O.:
10:19.59 I remember like way back when you were younger, running around like
really, really happy and smiling and like being the little rabbi’s daughter. And
you had like the blonde hair, the glasses and a smiling face and a dress. And
then I see you in army attire, ripped fishnets.
Ryan O.C.: You shaved your head.
Adina:
My hair wasn’t shaved … it wasn’t shaved then.
Ryan:
Your head was shaved after and everybody was like oh my God, who’s that? I’m like, what are you, like are you kidding? It looks great. She’s like this little butch (overlap) dyke. Army dyke.
Adina:
10:20.24 I remember .. looking up, the kid with the blue hair who everyone was telling
me was gay when I was like 8. Then you were my fabricated crush for all the
jewish girls.
Ryan:
(laugh) Fabricated crush.
Adina:
… like what boy do you like? I’m like ?? I pretend …Ryan Craft, because I knew that no one, I knew that it would be like – they couldn’t set me up with you. So it worked. Cause yeah.
Ryan:
10:20.47 Did you ever get like beat up or like anything, like harassment, like
harassment central. Like I know that you’re at Triangle now and whatever but
like –
Adina:
The reason I actually left to go to Triangle as that in my old school the social worker sat me down one day and said, Adina, you need to stop talking about the gay stuff because we think the words, the things you have said have had a strong influence on people. And I’m like, are you accusing me of converting people? And they’re like, well we wouldn’t use that word but I guess so. I stood up, turned around, slammed the door and left.
Laurie (O.S.):
10:21.19 I was really angry with the principal and the social worker.
(CUT TO LAURIE ON COUCH)
It didn’t make sense to me that she was at a school for troubled kids and they were going to toss out a troubled kid just for saying that she was lesbian.
(CLOSE UP ON LAURIE)
Adina had a really hard time in school in general and she-
10:21.40 (PHOTO OF A YOUNG ADINA)
-never felt that she quite fit in.
Adina:
(ANOTHER PHOTO OF ADINA)
-I always felt like the outsider because I’d be there hanging out with them and they’d be making-
(ADINA ON CAMERA, EXT)
-you know, whispering jokes to each other. I pretended that I didn’t notice but I always did.
(CUT TO LAURIE ON COUCH)
Laurie:
And that also led to ah a lot of anger, a lot of rage and not knowing how to get accepted by-
10:22.01 (PHOTO OF ADINA INTERVIEW, EXT)
-any friends.
Adina:
It got to the point where I just didn’t want to be at school. And
(CUT TO ADINA, EXTERIOR)
I threatened to kill myself and tried to kill myself just so I wouldn’t have to be there. I couldn’t face it. And looking back on it, I didn’t want to die. I just wanted to escape. I just couldn’t deal with it, you know, all the pressure and all the threats and feeling I didn’t belong anywhere.
10:22.32 (RICHARD SWEEPING UP HAIR IN SALON)
Narrator:
It’s the end of another long day at the hair salon.
(Richard looking out window)
And Richard’s nervous. His boyfriend Pierre is late.
(RICHARD WALKS OUT, BRINGS THE SIGN IN)
Richard:
Now that I've found Pierre, the feelings that I get from him is like the feelings I never really had when I was growing up. Having the feeling of being loved, now that I actually do have that, I want to hold on to that and not let it go.
10:23.12 (CUT TO PIERRE WALKING INTO SALON)
Richard:
Hi.
Pierre:
Hi. How are you?
Richard:
Okay. How are you?
Pierre:
Pretty good. I’m sorry I’m late.
Richard:
Oh it’s okay.
(RICHARD IN THE SALON SAYING GOODBYE)
(RICHARD AND PIERRE WALK OUT)
10:23.39 (RICHARD AND PIERRE IN CAR, SHOT OF KNEE AND HAND ON
GEAR SHIFT)
Richard:
I didn’t think you were showing up at first and … oh my God, I think he forgot.
Pierre:
No I was … My friend from Korea called me.
(BACK OF PIERRE AND RICHARD’S HEADS IN CAR)
Richard:
Who's this?
Pierre:
Oh a guy.
Narrator:
The two boys have been seeing each other almost daily for a month and Richard is still not ready to take him home to meet mom. Instead, they head over to see his best friend Denise.
10:24.02 (SHOT OF RICHARD AND PIERRE IN ELEVATOR)
(RICHARD SINGING)
Narrator:
It’s a kind of dry run.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
(DENISE ANSWERS THE BANGING)
(DENISE AND RICHARD DO KISSES AND GREETING)
Denise:
How are you doing?
Richard:
OK. How are you?
Denise:
I’m good.
Richard:
This is Pierre.
(THEY SHAKE HANDS)
Denise:
10:24.23 Hello. How are you doing?
Pierre:
Nice to meet you.
(THEY KISS)
Denise:
Not as many kisses.
Pierre:
No, no.
Narrator:
Denise and Richard are not only best friends. They also share a special bond. His stepfather, Bill, is also Denise’s biological father and ex-husband of Denise’s mother, Penny.
(IN LIVING ROOM WITH DENISE, PENNY, RICHARD AND PIERRE)
Penny:
10:24.43 So what have you guys been up to lately.
Richard:
We spent the weekend together.
Penny:
Oh. And?
Richard:
He came out to his room mate. He was there.
Denise:
He didn’t know?
Pierre:
Well I think that they kind of knew, you know, having Richard over all the time.
10:25.00 (CLOSE UP OF RICHARD AND PIERRE HOLDING HANDS)
Penny:
You’ve had it hard recently when you lived in North Bay
Pierre:
I mean it’s a very small town. They judge you on everything.
Penny:
That must be tough because your sexuality is such a deep part of you.
Pierre:
I’m a lot more comfortable with my sexuality now.
Penny:
Good.
Pierre:
I just told my mom a few weeks ago actually.
Penny:
So what did she say?
Pierre:
Well she’s still a bit reluctant to even talk about it. But she’s okay I think cause she has a – a gay brother in Toronto.
Penny:
Oh yeah.
Richard:
10:25.31 Every parent, they sort of make plans for their children, like what they would
like to see them do in life. And if what you would like to see them do in life
doesn’t happen, and that’s when you’re like, oh fuck, okay, well what now?
Like my son is gay and this is what I wanted for him, you know.
Denise:
What about your dad?
Pierre:
10:25.48 My dad, actually he passed away two years ago. But he was very – he gave
the image of being very homophobic but our last conversation right before I
left for Korea, he – he accepted me, like for our last conversation. I thank
God for that, that that happened.
Richard:
That’s so nice.
10:26.11 (CLOSE UP ON RICHARD AND PIERRE’S HANDS)
Richard:
Where do you want to go eat after?
(CLOSE UP ON COMPUTER KEYBOARDING, ADAM ON COMPUTER)
Narrator:
10:26.28 For Adam, its just another lonely night.
Adam V.O.:
I met Shy Guy 911 like a week ago so it’s still pretty new so – I don’t think anything is going to happen though because I’m not very comfortable with meeting people over the Net anymore. People don’t tell the truth on here.
Adam O.C.:
People on the Internet can manipulate you really easy. Say oh I really like you and I want to meet you and … you seem like one of the best people I’ve ever met. And I’m like, oh my god, are you serious? And then I want to hook up with them so –
10:27.05 (CUT TO ADAM ON STREET, GETS INTO CAR, NIGHT)
I just ended up meeting with really older men and they’d lied. And plus I was realising I was putting myself in danger getting into people’s cars that I hardly even know, that I’d chatted to for like two days.
(ADAM SITTING IN CAR TALKING)
Nobody like touched me or did anything like that. It was just that they were weirdoes.
(CUT TO ADAM IN STORE)
Adam V.O.:
10:27.31 The thing is with me since I’ve come out I’ve never been on an official date
like
(ADAM WALKING DOWN STREET, NIGHT)
go for a walk on a beach or go to a restaurant. So I hope that one day a guy will come up to me and ask me to go to a restaurant and he’ll take me home and then I’ll just get a kiss and then that’s it.
(A RESTAURANT, TWO GUYS HOLDING HANDS)
Then I’ll know right then and there that this guy has – has some class and he wants to get to know me. It hasn’t happened yet so –
(ADAM AT COMPUTER IN DARK)
(CUT TO RICHARD’S SALON, RICHARD COMING UP STAIRS)
Narrator:
10:28.11 The next morning, Richard’s flirting with danger. He’s three hours late for
work.
Richard V.O.:
When I woke up I knew I was already an hour late. When I went to take a shower, I knew I was already going to be late.
(RICHARD IN SALON)
When I went out for breakfast I knew I was going to be late.
(RICHARD AT WORK)
It didn’t really matter because I was with Pierre so I didn’t really care about anything. Because I know the job down pat and everything and they’re not going to like fire me and go find somebody else because it takes a while to train them. So I only got a lecture. But I understand it was the fact that I was irresponsible.
10:28.51 (CUT TO RICHARD HAVING A CIGARETTE OUTSIDE)
Richard V.O.:
It’s like a bad thing I guess, if you think about it. Like if you’re with somebody and they actually totally make you forget about reality. But then again it’s a really good feeling. So in love, so bad. But it’s good.
(ADINA WALKING DOWN STREET. RYAN AND ADINA PUTTING UP POSTERS)
Narrator:
10:29.13 Adina spreads her gospel in the neighbourhood with the help of her
accomplice, Ryan. She’s putting up posters for a controversial film playing
downtown about the hidden lives of gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews.
Adina V.O.:
10:29.36 According to some people the Jewish law says that I should burn in hell even
though I don’t believe in hell.
Ryan V.O.:
I feel like I’m eating this tape.
Adina V.O.:
You are eating it.
Adina V.O.:
10:29.49 Sorry. Just like in any religion, there is a diversity of opinion. If you actually
open the Bible, the Torah, it says a man cannot lie with a man as a woman or
whatever which is basically a prohibition on gay male sex –
(BOY READING POSTER WHILE RYAN AND ADINA WALK AWAY)
-and that was later interpreted to mean that you can’t have lesbian sex either.
(THE BOY REMOVES THE POSTER AND THROWS IT AWAY)
Adina V.O.:
10:30.22 I can't believe the little kid just like tore it down. Did the little kid even know
what it said? Like the kid can't even read.
(RYAN AND ADINA ON STREET)
Ryan:
… he was staring at it for about five minutes before he went up and started talking to his mom. And his mom was looking at us like whoo, they’re aliens or something.
Adina:
Want to put it back up again?
Ryan:
I think we should go put it back up. Do you want to go put it back up?
Adina:
Why not. Let's throw it up there.
(CUT TO LAURIE ON COUCH)
Laurie:
10:30.45 After her bat mitzvah she did not come out of the closet. Ah there were
difficult things behaviourally but she didn’t come out.
(PHOTO OF ADINA)
V.O.: It was sort of a shock to us. Here was a kid who totally fit in at synagogue,
(PHOTO OF MOM AND ADINA)
up to her bat mitzvah. She could read from the Torah, from the Bible in Hebrew at the drop of a hat. She was one of the top students both in English studies and Hebrew studies.
(CLOSE UP OF ADINA’S PHOTO)
10:31.16 And when she came out of the closet, that’s when it all changed. And that
makes us very sad.
(ADINA LEANING ON FENCE, WALKING ALONG FENCE INTO DISTANCE)
Laurie V.O.:
Adina’s not mature enough yet to realise that she can be Jewish and also be lesbian. I think she has to find a comfortable place within Judaism without feeling she has to run away from it. And up until now she’s been not just running, I mean she’s been racing away from it.
(EXT. TRIANGLE/SKY)
Teacher V.O.:
10:31.55 So Adam,
(CLASS OF STUDENTS)
you’re going to read your coming out story.
Adam:
Okay. All my life I knew I was different from others but often found myself craving the positive and negative attention I got from being different. I was a young boy clueless to what my body and mind was telling me.
(SHOT OF STUDENTS LISTENING)
Narrator:
For the first time in highschool, Adam is not afraid to talk openly about himself in front of the other teenagers.
Adam:
I’d imagine being swept off my feet and taken away somewhere special.
(CLOSE UP ON ADAM)
All I ever wanted is true love. Confused about why I felt so strongly about boys,
(PAN TO HANDS AND NOTES FROM WHICH ADAM IS READING)]
I felt like a beach ball being thrown over and over again, not sure when I would drop and who I would be.
(VARIOUS ANGLES)
Adam V.O.:
10:32.29 I think Triangle has prepared me to realise that this is who I am and to deal
with it not in an emotional way, but you know, like I’m proud to be who I am
and more of a stronger person.
(CLOSE UP ON TEACHER AND ADAM)
Adam O.C.:
10:32.45 Very quickly after grade 8 and my body started to mature and so did my mind
and my perceptions on things. It didn’t take me long to realize I was different
sexually, physically and mentally and felt things most of my friends didn’t. It
was time for me to step up and acknowledge the person I had become.
(CLOSE UP ON STUDENT)
I remember going to a good friend’s place of mine and I was ready to share my little secret with her, a secret I had fought with for so many years.
(CUT TO ADAM READING AND TEACHER IN SHOT)
I arrived at her house later that night. We got into a really deep conversation. And that’s where I finished it.
Teacher:
Oh. You knew that was coming though. It’s a good story. I think you’ve done a really nice job with it.
(DIFFERENT CAMERA ANGLE)
It’s a real process so yea for you.
10:33.27 (PIERRE AND RICHARD OUTSIDE APARTMENT BUILDING)
Richard:
So are you nervous about going up to meet my parents?
Pierre:
A little bit yeah
Richard:
Are you?
Pierre:
Especially with Bill.
Richard:
Yeah. Well I don’t think he’ll go that far. Like I said, he’ll ask questions.
Pierre:
Like what?
Richard:
So what makes you gay and shit like that.
10:33.50 (PIERRE AND RICHARD WALKING TO BUILDING)
Richard:
But it’s okay. Like I’ll handle everything.
Pierre:
Okay.
Richard:
So don’t be afraid.
(PIERRE AND RICHARD IN HALLWAY)
Richard:
Listen. (laughter) I feel like I’m walking into a church.
(RICHARD KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Richard’s Mom V.O.:
Come on in.
Richard:
(laughter) I’m so scared. OK. Let me breathe in through my nose.
(RICHARD OPENS DOOR)
(BILL IS PLAYING THE ORGAN)
Richard:
10:34.18 Bill, this is Pierre. That’s Bill.
Bill:
Pierre? Did I ever meet you before?
Pierre:
No we haven’t yet, sir.
(PIERRE AND BILL SHAKE HANDS)
Bill:
Oh you’re lucky.
Pierre:
Oh okay.
Richard’s Mom:
Sir? Don’t call him that. That will go to his frickin’ head. What’s the matter with you, boy?
Richard:
Oh my God.
Richard’s Mom:
Sir? (laugh)
(MOM AT KITCHEN SINK, BILL AND THE BOYS SEATED)
Bill:
10:34.38 I don’t object to gays getting together promoting good welfare. And I don’t
object to gay people living together, doing things together.
Richard:
What do you think about like gay marriages? Like if I ever – Did your perception of the whole homosexuality thing change?
Bill:
No.
(CUT TO MOM IN KITCHEN)
Bill:
(O.S.) I mean you could bring Gabriel in here or John the Baptist. It’s not going to change my perception. (O.C.) I think like marriage, belongs to men and women. And I’m not going to change that. I’m not homophobic.
10:35.20 (MOM SITTING ON COUCH)
Bill:
What’s the purpose of marriage-
(BILL AND THE BOYS)
besides you can have sex legally and nobody will call it fornication? It’s to produce. Life must produce. Otherwise life becomes extinct. The law of nature is that it’s male and female.
(SHOT OF MOM ON COUCH)
Richard’s Mom:
10:35.40 I don't think its right. If you're going to get married to a guy, don't tell me
about it.
Richard:
Why?
Richard’s Mom:
Because you know me. I’ll flip.
Richard:
Why would you flip though?
Richard’s Mom:
Because I think it’s disgusting.
Richard:
What’s disgusting about it? Do I go and freak out when I see two straight people getting married?
Richard’s Mom:
That’s different, Richard.
Richard:
Why, because it’s accepted.
Richard’s Mom:
10:36.00 Because two straight – because two straight people aren’t stickin’ their dicks
up – sorry.
Richard:
Marriage isn’t about like sexual whatever, mom.
Richard’s Mom:
Sorry. My opinion, it’s disgusting. And yeah, I gotta admit, it does freak me out. (overlapping) … That’s why I don’t talk about it too much. That’s why I keep it inside. Because it’s disgusting.
(SHOT OF BILL AND THE BOYS SILENT)
10:36.32 (EXT SHOT OF TRIANGLE SCHOOL)
Narrator:
It’s graduation day at Triangle.
(ADINA AND DAD SITTING AT GRADUATION)
But for Adina, something more significant has already happened.
Laurie:
10:36.47 I couldn’t go to Adina’s graduation.
(ADINA’S MOM ON COUCH)
I had a really bad day with my neck and we wanted at least one parent to be there for Adina.
(SHOT OF BACK OF DAD’S HEAD)
And believe me, my husband was not pleased about being the representative of the family. And he kept on saying,
(PAN TO BACK OF ADINA’S HEAD)
well she won’t be hurt, she won’t be hurt. And I kept on saying she deserves to have a parent there.
(CLOSE UP OF TRIANGLE GRADUATION PROGRAM)
Minister:
10:37.08 We’re very pleased here at MCC Toronto to be able to host the Triangle
program.
(ON CAMERA) We can be a very staid and conservative church sometimes and the Triangle program has added a lot of colour and flamboyance to the building and so we’re glad that you’re here.
(CUT TO AUDIENCE MEMBERS)
The student of the year award this year for the first time is going to two people. So, could Adina come forward please?
(ADINA STANDS UP AND WALKS TO PODIUM. AUDIENCE APPLAUSE)
Laurie V.O.:
when he did go, he saw that the Triangle program was-
(ADINA AT THE PODIUM)
-such an awesome program and that gay and lesbian people don’t have to be so different from everybody else.
Adina at podium:
10:37.46 I’m reading a bit from a story I wrote called How Love Came To Be. Once
the Earth, heavens and creatures had been created, the goddess decided that
something was missing.
(CLOSE UP ON ADINA’S FATHER)
So she came up with the solution. She created love.
(CUT TO AUDIENCE)
So the goddess called all of the chemists in the heaven’s to her chamber to help them concoct the love potion.
(ADINA ON PODIUM)
sure enough the powder did create love. Humans were chasing each other, full of lust. They lusted after every kind of creature. The goddess was upset. This isn’t what I wanted, she yelled. I wanted love not just lust.
(CUT TO AUDIENCE)
10:38.18 The goddess kicked everyone out of the lab and shut herself in for 49 days.
On the 50th day she opened the door and walked out, holding a jar of pink
gas. Humans started to feel attractions to each other. Mothers and daughters,
sons and fathers and other relatives felt inexplicable deep emotional bonds
with each other. Men and women, women and women and men and men,
though not just lust but love for each other. True unbreakable relationships
now existed on Earth.
(ADINA WALKS AWAY FROM PODIUM)
(APPLAUSE)
10:38.58 (ADINA WALKS TO HER SEAT WITH HER FATHER)
Laurie V.O.:
When he came back home he was almost in tears. It allowed him to relate to Adina much more than he had and he still talks about how moving that whole graduation program was. I mean I wish there could be a graduation program every month. It would keep him going. (chuckle)
(RICHARD LOOKING OUT WINDOW)(PHONE RINGS)
Richard:
10:39.30 Richard speaking. How may I help you?
Narrator:
A phone call changes everything for Richard,
(CLOSE UP RICHARD SMOKING)
when his boyfriend Pierre decides to end the relationship.
(RICHARD ON STAIRS)
Richard:
10:39.42 He wasn’t taking my calls all the time and he was lying and stuff. I’m like do
you really want a relationship? And he’s like, well I just want to keep
everything on like …. for now. I don’t mind just having like sex and fooling
around once in a while, but when it comes to being committed, he’s like I’m
not ready for that.
(NIGHT, STREET SCENE)
Richard:
I feel very disappointed. I really do feel as if I need somebody to be in my life, to experience things with me and so like I can love and they can love me back. It’s just been really confusing. There’s a lot in question now about love, about everything.
(RICHARD WALKING DOWN STREET, NIGHT)
Narrator:
10:40.46 But the night holds some nasty surprises. A spiked drink and suddenly
Richard is caught in an ugly spiral into darkness.
(BLACK SCENE)
Richard V.O.:
When he bought me a drink and I noticed there was no cap on and I should have suspected something. I totally blacked out.
(INT. BATHHOUSE)
10:41.12 And I remember he went into my pockets to get the money and he paid for me
and him to go in the bathhouse…
I remember opening my eyes when I was in the bed and this guy I didn’t even know
(CLOSE UP ON BED)
-was having sex with me. I don’t know if I would call it rape. A lot of people said it was but I think it’s just like a harsh word to use.
(EXT NIGHT STREET SCENE)
10:41.46 I remember going home. I just took a bath and I started crying, … bawling my
eyes … God how can I put myself in a position like this?
(ADINA DRESSING)
Laurie V.O.:
10:42.04 Adina is going to be going to synagogue for the first time in close to a year
and a half. I can’t tell you how critical or how important it is that she is going
back now. Up until now my husband had totally banned her from synagogue
but I think it shows a real shift in his attitude and his fear of how people will
react. Even though she’s the rabbi’s daughter, he’s willing to take the chance
that the people at the synagogue – and there will be thousands of people at the
synagogue – maybe they’ll also accept her for who she is.
(SINGING PRAYER)
10:42.55 (ADINA WALKING UP STAIRS IN SYNAGOGUE)
(CLOSE UP, RABBI SINGING PRAYER)
10:43.14 (ADINA JOINS IN SINGING)
Adina V.O.:
Judaism in general, even if I don’t agree with all the doctrine and all of the rules and the laws-
(CLOSE UP ON PRAYER BOOK)
-that are supposedly from God, I believe in a God. And I appreciate the culture and the tradition of Judaism if not all of the religious aspects. So it’s not that easy just to give it up.
(CLOSE UP ON ADINA SING PRAYER)
10:43.47 (PHOTOS OF ADINA AS CHILD)
(ADINA’S ROOM)
Adina:
… I need help-
Laurie:
No problem.
Adina:
-with the jacket.
Laurie:
Whoa.
Adina:
What?
Laurie:
It’s a big deal huh?
Adina:
… When did Abba wore this thing. I’ve never seen him wear it.
Narrator:
10:44.13 Adina refers to her father using the traditional Hebrew name, Abba. He’s
offered her his own tuxedo for prom night.
Laurie:
It’s a 42 waist. I think now he’s like a 59 waist.
Adina:
65 … 777.
Laurie:
Well you’re going to have to squish into it a little bit so –
Laurie:
No I’m not.
Laurie:
Have you ever tried it out?
Adina:
I wore it 25 times. It fits me perfectly.
Laurie:
10:44.36 Okay good. So how do you feel that you’re wearing a 42 shirt-
Adina:
Can you shut up.
(ADINA STOMPS OUT)
Laurie:
Okay. Come, come come.
(ADINA SLAMS A DOOR)
Laurie:
Adina, I want to help you, honey.
(ADINA FROM BEHIND THE DOOR)
(LAURIE STANDS AT THE DOOR)
Laurie:
Adina?
Adina:
What?
Laurie:
Let’s start from the beginning because I didn’t mean to do anything to annoy you. Let’s try it on –
(ADINA OPENS THE DOOR AND COMES INTO HER BEDROOM)
-and get all ready to –
Adina:
10:45.10 Whatever. Okay. Well which colour ….
Laurie V.O.:
Adina decided that she really wanted to go back to the Triangle program next year and I’ll tell you, she was so happy there that both Phil and I accepted that maybe that’s the best place for her next year. Now it seems to give her a lot of meaning.
Adina:
10:45.36 I want your honest opinion.
Laurie:
Well you’re safe with black.
Laurie V.O.:
And this kid is so smart that lesbian or not lesbian, I think she belongs at university taking anything she wants to take. I mean I think the whole world is open to her.
Adina:
That works right?
Laurie:
Adina, you’re going to look like a knockout.
10:45.59 (ADINA WALKING DOWN STAIRS)
Laurie O.S.:
Whoa! Look at you!
Adina:
You’re such a loser.
(LAURIE AND ADINA AT BOTTOM OF STAIRS)
Laurie:
No. You know what? It actually looks great.
Adina:
Okay and you’re a loser. …
Laurie:
I can give you a hard time with compliments, huh? You look great. You’re going to be great at the prom.
Adina:
10:46.21 Thank you
Laurie:
Going to go for Prom King?
Adina:
Yeah.
Laurie:
Great.
Laurie:
You never can take a compliment well.
Laurie:
I’m really proud of you and you know what?
Adina:
What?
Laurie:
10:46.37 Your Abba is also really proud.
Adina:
I know.
(NIGHT STREET SCENE)
(PROM SHOTS)
Emcee: (O.S.)
10:46.50 This year's theme for Pride in uncensored.
EMCEE: (O.C.)
It means the freedom to walk down the street holding hands, (applause) the freedom to kiss whomever you want. (cheers) And the freedom to go to the prom with whomever you want. (cheers)
(SHOTS OF KIDS DANCING)
10:47.18 Emcee.: Okay this is what you’ve all been waiting for. Ready? I’m so excited.
I’m so nervous. Okay ready? For King we have – Adina! (cheers) Adina!
Come over, Adina! Come up Adina! Congratulations! Whoo!
(ADINA AND EMCEE)
(A CROWN IS PUT ON HER HEAD)
congratulations.
Adina:
Thank you.
Emcee:
Want to say anything, Adina?
(ADINA TAKES THE MICROPHONE)
Adina:
10:47.52 Sure. Thank you to everyone who voted for me. When I run for prime
minister please vote for me too.
(cheers)
Emcee:
Ah. Adina, Adina, stay over here. Stay over here. Right there.
Adina V.O.:
10:48.05 Things have changed so much. I’m really happy. Me and my mother still fight
occasionally but it’s the normal mother-daughter stuff.
Emcee:
Queen for the red hot Pride Prom… Flo!
(WINNER COMES UP TO STAGE, HUGS ADINA)
Adina V.O.:
I have lots of friends and I feel really accepted and you know –
(KING AND QUEEN ON STAGE)
Emcee:
King and Queen, Adina and Flo
Adina V.O.:
10:48.25 And with my father, he started to talk a lot more again now. He says he loves
me and you know, he wants me to be happy. So it’s a lot better now. Life is
great.
Narrator:
10:48.42 It’s been four months since Richard dropped out. But he comes back tonight
to the safe haven he left behind.
(EXT RICHARD SMOKING)
Denise:
Are you enjoying yourself?
Richard:
Yeah, I am actually.
Denise:
Would you like it more if Pierre was here?
Richard:
I would. Well it’s something big in somebody's life. And I feel if I’m going to take somebody it would be you. Cause we've been through together. Like he doesn't compare nothing when he’s beside you. Like he’s nothing. You know what I mean?
Denise:
10:49.12 Honestly, I feel the same way about you. Like nobody, nobody at all that I
know could ever fill your shoes.
(INT PROM DANCING COUPLE)
(ADAM AND FAMILY IN BACKYARD EATING)
(SHOT OF ADAM AND FATHER AT TABLE)
Mother:
10:49.34 Are you feeling a little nervous, Adam?
Adam:
Hm?
Mother:
Feel a little nervous about going?
Adam:
Mhm.
(CLOSE UP ON ADAM)
Narrator:
Adam's work at Triangle is over. He's decided to face whatever is in store for him at his new mainstream highschool
Dad:
Who knows, when you get there you’ll enjoy it like you did Triangle. You were pretty nervous that day.
10:49.54 (SHOT OF ADAM’S LEGS TWITCHING)
(STREET SCENE. ADAM GOING TO SCHOOL.)
Adam V.O.:
I’m a little bit worried. I’m not even scared about the gay issue which is funny. I’m so comfortable with that now. I’m scared about missing other things, you know, physical appearance and all that, which I guess every teenager struggles with. But now I’m at the point where I’m struggling with it because it’s starting to bother me. I’m also scared about competition, you know. It’s an art school so I just hope that I’m also really good and they like what I can do so--. I’m going in there to dance and sing. Am I going to be one of the good dancers or am I going to be one of the ones that don’t get to do anything, that’s always in the back? Am I going to be one of the good singers, you know, to get the main roles and stuff? Cause that’s what I want in my head but I have to think logically that there are really talented kids out there my age and I may not be number one. That’s what I’m really scared of.
FADE TO BLACK
10:51.35 ROLL END CREDITS
10:52.35 END PROGRAM