Why “Outside”?

KUED OFFERED A SPECIAL “PROGRAM ADVISORY”
Understanding that the content of “Outside” was of a very mature nature, we created special advisories that were presented at the beginning and middle of the broadcast. These advised of mature content and the need for viewer discretion. Additionally, the advisories were carried on all promotional material for the program. Recognizing the mature themes of the documentary, KUED deliberately scheduled the program in days and times away from recognized “family viewing” periods.

COVERING DIFFICULT SOCIAL ISSUES
This independent production is a brave and compassionate examination of young men and women at risk. It seeks to understand why they are at risk, how society may place them at risk, and how they may endanger themselves. It is admittedly uncomfortably honest at times, but it did not invent the issues that it chronicles. Homelessness among homosexual youth exists in substantial numbers throughout America. Chronicling such social issues is one of the compelling reasons why public television must continue to exist. As much joy as we take from our ability to portray beauty, we equally recognize our responsible role to examine darker realities of our existence – an existence which is not always neat, compassionate and inclusive.

DEPICTING DRUG USE AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION
While the program contains frank depictions of sexual themes and illegal drug use, it is important to remember this documentary is about homelessness among young men and women. Sexual orientation and drug use are aspects of their homelessness. While the program depicts the use of drugs, no one viewing the use of illegal drugs contained in this program could ever describe the depiction as glamorizing drug use. The sad, but indisputable fact is that many homeless individuals self-medicate when they live on the street. In fact, statistics show that if they don’t get off the streets within two weeks, virtually all young homeless men and women find themselves on the road to substance abuse. If, as a society, we are truly concerned about controlling illegal drug use, we need to understand its practical reality as one of society’s little understood social ills.

WHY DO THE PROGRAM?
Since the creation of the American republic, our nation has struggled with those “left behind” in a society that creates such remarkable opportunity. As has been said by political leaders across the spectrum, we measure our success not solely by the way we honor achievement, but also by the way we care for those left behind. How do we respond to the dispossessed and those who are not part of the mainstream? The film is not designed to answer questions, but to insure that the questions continue to be asked.