I/O
How YouTubers Could Save Sex Ed
Channels like Queer Kid Stuff offer much-needed resources for young people
Even back in college, Lindsay Amer knew what their calling in life was. They wanted to use theater and storytelling to help kids understand the basics of queer issues and better understand what words like “gay” actually mean, while giving young people a space to see themselves and feel more comfortable with their identities.
As a queer person with a background in creating and directing theater for young audiences, as well as a degree in gender studies, Amer felt like this kind of work was the perfect fit for their skill set. But as they set off on their path, they ran into a few stumbling blocks. Theater spaces and schools were anxious about booking a performance that some might deem controversial. Even when Amer did manage to get a gig, their message was naturally limited to the audience in the room.
Feeling frustrated, Amer started wondering if there might be another way to get their message out into the world. And then inspiration struck. “I was off in London, feeling homesick, watching a lot of American queer YouTubers,” Amer says. “And I realized YouTube was this free, publicly accessible space that kids were in.”
