Out With Dad, episode 3.17 is
called Out With PFLAG part III. If
you’re wondering how that title follows the previous episode, you are
forgetting that part I and II of PFLAG occurred last season when Rose and
Nathan attended their first PFLAG meetings. It was the first episode of OWD I
wrote a real review of, which you can read here.
This is very long episode, coming
in at over 20 minutes including credits.
But with so much happening this time, it certainly doesn’t seem
long! This episode begins with Rose and
Nathan entering and greeting Claire and her Mom. This is a good nod to the first PFLAG
episode, where Rose is surprised to see “the girl from the washroom”. But there is a surprise attendee, and it’s Alicia,
coming along to learn what she can do to be a “straight ally” to her friends
who identify otherwise. I can relate to
her feelings, but more on this later.
After the girls greet each other,
the meat of the story begins as new leader Robin initiates the sharing with the
story of his cousin. Said cousin was
excommunicated by his family after coming out, even when he was dying of
cancer. This story reminds me a little
too much of Vanessa’s family. Not only
because of their unacceptance of Vanessa’s sexuality, but of the way they
abandoned their eldest son when he married outside of his faith. I can’t
imagine anything short of a major crime would make me cut off communication
with one of my children. Robin also comments on how attending the sharing meetings,
listening and sharing, makes him feel better about things.
Morgan comes next. I have a small problem with the presentation
of Morgan’s story, and it has everything to do with continuity. Morgan implies that he was quiet and looked
very bad during the last meeting. By
this, he is referring to PFLAG meeting from last season. But that would, in OWD time have been months
ago (last school year). Therefore,
either this is a stretch by Jason to help us remember Morgan, or PFLAG only
meets every few months. Which I guess is
possible. It just seems unlikely. Anyway, that’s way too much time to discuss
such a trivial matter that doesn’t affect the plot at all. Morgan identifies himself as trans and tells
of begin raped and beaten by a bunch of drunk guys. It’s a horrible story, and difficult to
listen to. But it’s well written and
told.
Sam’s tale of literally being in
the closet is much lighter than Morgan’s but also rather tragic. Though no physical harm was done to her,
having to hide her true self from her girlfriend’s family has left her with
some mental problems. What if Vanessa
had chosen to sneak around with Rose while hiding the relationship from her
family? I don’t think Rose could have
handled such an arrangement. I also
think this type of relationship is rather common, and I have heard first-person
accounts of such.
Alicia speaks next, and sound
just like I would if I were to go to a PFLAG meeting, I think. Though I try to be an ally of the LGBT
community in my words and deeds, I’m sure I would be at a loss for words in a
meeting centering on the experiences of people who are not straight.
Claire mostly recaps recent
events at school as well as expressing how nice it is to share such things with
people who will listen and support her.
This is the first that Rose hears of being banned from the changing
room, however. Rose continues this discussion of the difference between how
non-heterosexual students are treated at school-especially Catholic School-
compared to the friendly atmosphere of the sharing meeting.
Claire’s mom discusses learning
about her daughter and how she isn’t allowing her husband to wreck things, even
if he isn’t as receptive as she is. This
is eerily different from Vanessa’s father going along with his wife, when he
seems more open to wanting to be supportive.
Nathan discusses the unfairness of how Rose and Claire are treated
compared with the other students. This
is important. I think it’s important,
for instance, to speak not of “gay marriage” but of “marriage equality”. Because that’s what it’s really about,
right? Everyone should be treated
fairly, no matter what. It sounds like Ontario,
Canada is ahead of the USA in making sure people are treated equally, even in a
religious institution. Religion has
repeatedly been an excuse for bigotry here in the United States, including in
my state, which isn’t even close to the south.
Heck, I’m just a boat ride from Canadian soil! Anyway, this discussion of the school and
changing room will lead us into next episode.
By the way, Rose referred to
herself as a lesbian! Good for her! The “L” word was one of the most interesting
parts in the “lost episode” I got to transform into a comic. Though the whole comic is up on the web, I
thought I’d quickly mention I’m starting to post some extra art and pages on
the comic fury site.
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