YouTube’s ‘We Are Pride’ Channel Unveils ‘My First Time’
YouTube’s ‘We Are Pride’ channel is set to debut an Australian original series, “My First Time,” tailored for the queer community and their supporters, crafted by individuals from the same community. The series, comprising 10 episodes, is scheduled for a global premiere on Saturday, 17 February.
It promises an authentic and moving portrayal of the LGBTQIA+ community’s landmark first experiences in Australia.
The series will cover a broad spectrum of topics, including coming out, first crushes, gender identity, love, heartbreak, and the role of allies in dealing with family, death, suicide, and sexuality. The show will delve into the transformative and poignant nature of these queer firsts.
Among the ten talents sharing their personal stories are Kween Kong, a Logie-nominated Pasifika New Zealander, comedian and writer Aurelia St Clair, and the internationally renowned playwright Wesley Enoch AM.
Joining them in the first season are several notable LGBTQIA+ community members:
- Katherine Wolfgramme, a leading trans elder and advocate, known for her groundbreaking legal precedent in Fiji.
- DQ, a ’78er’, lesbian, and feminist activist, and author of Australia’s first lesbian play, ‘Shift’.
- Seren Bakir, a non-binary Turkish-Australian model and TikTok creator, celebrated for their candid discussions on queerness and autism.
- Rosie Delaney, a leading transgender lesbian comedian in Australia.
- Dyan Tai, a proud queer Chinese-Australian electronic musician and performance artist.
- Steven Spencer, a bi+community and HIV advocate, writer, and researcher, and an ambassador for the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation.
- Adrian Mouhajer, a queer non-binary Lebanese-Australian writer and editor, whose work focuses on personal experiences.
Produced in VA Media’s Sydney studio, “My First Time” will feature 10 x 20-minute episodes, each with a unique theme. The series will initially be available on YouTube and later on Instagram and TikTok.
This series is a significant milestone for VA Media’s ‘We Are Pride’ YouTube channel, as it’s the first Australian-made original series on the platform. The channel has amassed over 400,000 subscribers and 45 million views, showcasing a diverse range of LGBTQIA+ content.
Hannah Barnes, Executive Producer of “My First Time” and Director of Unscripted and Original Production, expressed her excitement:
“We can’t wait to share this original and important new LGBTQIA+ Australian series with a global audience. The format, developed in-house, explores a variety of ‘firsts’, highlighting the significance of allyship, diverse coming out experiences, and the journey of self-discovery.”
“The human experience is multifaceted and complex. Our audience will encounter a range of emotions, from elation to discomfort. These candid conversations are vital in addressing these diverse experiences.”
Producer Carolyn Cage, known for her work on “Queerstralia” and “Strong Women”, spoke about the series’ goal:
“Creating this series has been a deeply personal journey for me, inspired by my own experiences and the realisation of what I wished I had seen while growing up.”
“It’s not just a series; it’s an invitation to explore and understand the multitude of ‘firsts’ that shape our lives, a place for anyone who has ever felt alone or different during these experiences, and serves as a reminder that LGBTQIA+ stories are worth sharing.”
“Most of all, it’s a celebration of our shared triumphs and tribulations, an ode to the power of storytelling, and a heartfelt invitation for everyone, regardless of identity, to join us on this extraordinary journey.”
