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Lee

Name: Lee
Age: 17
Hobbies: basketball, street dance, graffiti art, Joelly D the popstar,karaoke

Lee’s commitment to Karmel as a best friend is undeniable. But when she discovers that Karmel is keeping the fact that she’s a lesbian secret, she feels hurt and abandoned. Her own non-conformity also creates conflict with her brothers, who would like her to dress and look more like they would expect a girl to.

At Key Stage 3 students should be learning about “different and shared needs, abilities and membership of groups” and recognise that “culture, including the language, ideas, customs and traditions practised by people within a group, also forms part of identity”.

Lee's story

Lee’s story focuses on themes of gender stereotyping and friendship. Use Lee’s story in PSHE and Citizenship classes to discuss the following questions:

Why do people think Lee is a lesbian?
Is Lee a stereotypical girl? What kind of “girl” do we see her as?
What is a stereotype?
Do you think Lee minds not fitting in? What makes her so proud of who she is?
How does Lee feel when she finds out her best friend is keeping a secret from her?
How important is family to Lee? How do we show people we love them?
What would you do if you found out your best friend was gay?
Why does Lee think Karmel will fancy her? Can Karmel be trusted to just be her friend?
How should boys and girls “act” or “behave”?
How do we react when boys don’t “act” like boys or girls don’t “behave” like girls?

Lee's video diaries

diary 1: Should Lee change the way she acts/behaves/dresses?
diary 2: What can Karmel do to make Lee feel better/improve their friendship?
diary 3: Do you think Karmel wants to go out with Lee?
diary 4: Are people born gay? When should gay people "come out" to friends and family
diary 5: Can you go to a gay youth group if you're not gay?

Additional information
- Girl Guides UK produces an annual Girls’ Attitudes survey – a comprehensive study of the views and opinions of girls aged 7-21 across the UK. http://girlsattitudes.girlguiding.org.uk
- PinkStinks is a campaign and social enterprise that challenges the culture of pink in girls’ lives. www.pinkstinks.co.uk