Queer Kid Stuff is dedicated to the early education of children in regards to queer issues. The human Lindsay and the stuffed bear Teddy attempt to communicate with kids in an engaging manner so that they might grow up somewhat knowledgeable about LGBT people and our place in the world.

You probably won't be surprised that a number of critics have called this brainwashing.

Queer Kid Stuff is a new webseries educating kids on LGBTQ+ topics! Queer representation and content for children is scarce and Queer Kid Stuff aims to eliminate stigma by properly educating future generations through entertaining video content. The pilot episode, which launched April 20th, 2016, tackles the subject; What Does Gay Mean? A simple enough subject, but you would be surprised the amount of young children who might not know the answer to that question. Queer Kid Stuff was awarded a grant from the Awesome Foundation to fund production for a full season of 10 brand new episodes which debuted in Fall 2016 covering topics including non-binary genders and trans* identities, marriage equality, feminism, and queer themes in children's pop culture.

Creator and host, Lindsay and her best stuffed friend Teddy explain queer topics through a vlog-style conversation with young viewers focused on love and family. The short videos are a tool for parents, teachers, and LGBTQ+ adults to help them explain these words and ideas to young children in their lives, recommended for ages 3-7. A free, printable activity sheet accompanies each episode to further instill the lessons of the videos through activities which can be done at home or in the classroom.

As a queer little tomboy growing up in New York City, I struggled with my sexuality. I am incredibly lucky to have grown up in one of the most diverse cities in the world with liberal parents who could care less about whether I'm gay or straight or whatever. I also happen to be quite privileged in that I am well-educated, white, able-bodied, and cis-gendered (aka not trans*). But despite the odds being in my favor, the road was far from easy. And I don't think I'm the only one. I think a lot of it has to do with inequality in representation. I lacked a positive queer role model in the stories and media I consumed as a young person. All I ever knew was that women fell in love with men, got married, and had babies. If I had a queer story to look to as a kid, there's a chance my life would have been a little bit different, for better or for worse: I might have come out sooner, been a better sister, daughter, student, friend. I might have been brave enough to come out to myself. Young queer people need to see themselves represented in their media and that is exactly what I aim to do.

I am a storyteller at heart. My background lies primarily in directing theater for young audiences. I received my undergraduate degree in theater from Northwestern University with a minor in gender studies and certificates in theater for young audiences and civic engagement. I have worked with Purple Crayon Players, Seesaw Theatre, Steppenwolf Theater Company, and The New Victory Theater. I earned my masters degree in theater and performance studies from Queen Mary University of London. I am also a Co-Artistic Director and founding member of Bluelaces Theater Company where we create multi-sensory theater for individuals on the Autism Spectrum and with developmental differences.

--Lindsay

You can help fund future videos at Pantheon.