A groundbreaking new documentary will take an in-depth look at two adolescent boys who identify as gay from a young age and the vastly different journey each took after they came out.
Directed by Joshua Sweeny, "Same Difference" contrasts the story of Graeme Taylor with that of Justin Aaberg, who committed suicide in 2010 after having allegedly been subjected to intense anti-gay intolerance in his community.
Taylor, who is now 18 years old, grew up in a supporting environment, while Aaberg (who was 15 at the time of his death) attended Minnesota's Anoka-Hennepin school district, which came under intense scrutiny in 2012 for what some described as "an extreme anti-gay climate" in the wake of a local rash of teen suicides.
"Our film presents the issue in an entirely new way with an incredible look into the lives of two LGBT kids growing up," Kyle Wentzel, the film's producer and cinematographer, told HuffPost Gay Voices in an email statement. "The stories contrast in a clear way that highlights how communities and schools play a role in growing up LGBT."
He went on to note, "This film is one of the most important things I've done in my life and I hope that it can be a force for positive change in the world. I also hope that as a straight person, I can help encourage more non-LGBT individuals to become allies and actively stand up in support of other human beings."
Sweeny and Taylor are hoping to raise an additional $135,000 for the documentary's post-production via an Indiegogo campaign. Head here to read more about the effort.
Directed by Joshua Sweeny, "Same Difference" contrasts the story of Graeme Taylor with that of Justin Aaberg, who committed suicide in 2010 after having allegedly been subjected to intense anti-gay intolerance in his community.
Taylor, who is now 18 years old, grew up in a supporting environment, while Aaberg (who was 15 at the time of his death) attended Minnesota's Anoka-Hennepin school district, which came under intense scrutiny in 2012 for what some described as "an extreme anti-gay climate" in the wake of a local rash of teen suicides.
"Our film presents the issue in an entirely new way with an incredible look into the lives of two LGBT kids growing up," Kyle Wentzel, the film's producer and cinematographer, told HuffPost Gay Voices in an email statement. "The stories contrast in a clear way that highlights how communities and schools play a role in growing up LGBT."
He went on to note, "This film is one of the most important things I've done in my life and I hope that it can be a force for positive change in the world. I also hope that as a straight person, I can help encourage more non-LGBT individuals to become allies and actively stand up in support of other human beings."
Sweeny and Taylor are hoping to raise an additional $135,000 for the documentary's post-production via an Indiegogo campaign. Head here to read more about the effort.