In March, Project Indigo members created "If it's not a hell yes, it's a conversation" a film about consent for and by LGBTQ+ youth. Galop funded us to make this project, as many of the resources currently available centre heterosexual relationships and don’t acknowledge genders outside of the binary. Alongside the group's youth worker, I facilitated a series of workshops for the young people to research, storyboard, design and shoot a short stop motion animation.

We started by discussing what consent meant and how it was different when you were queer or trans. And came up with loads of ideas including the fact that  consent itself isn't binary! Project Indigo members decided on our key questions and we recorded their answers to them. Each participant designed their own characters and animated over their voices.

The film will be a resource for young queer people but was also a chance for the group to explore the topic, ask each other questions and validate each other’s experiences: this is the magic of making work collaboratively.

Key messages we decided on with the group:

  • It's not ok to take away someone's consent
  • It's not your fault
  • You can get help
  • It's ok to know or not to know what your sexuality is
  • Consent isn't binary
  • If it's not a hell yes, it's a conversation

The film explores what project indigo members think young LGBTQ people need to know about consent, and the ways being queer can add complexity to understanding and acting on our desires. We were hosted by The Outside Project for our animation day, which was amazing and included lots of dancing.

See more projects
Magic Moments
Drawing the Future
Lewisham Queer World Building Project
The Future is Ours
Women Making Waves
If it's not a hell yes, it's a conversation
Treat us with some respect
Portraits at the Albany
Making characters
Out Against Abuse
Claymation at the Albany
Children's Courses at Camden Arts Centre
Feeling Outside the Box
Eyes
Gender Euphoria and Dysphoria
Meet me at Merrydown
For those in Peril on the Sea
How Far I’ve Come