Nickelodeon Special To Focus On Lives Of Gay Kids

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Nickelodeon will look at the plight of gay kids with a special to debut Oct. 7, the network said Thursday.

The special, Nick News With Linda Elerbee: Coming Out will follow the everyday lives of gay kids as they face fear, acceptance, bullying, isolation, encouragement and ignorance, said the network. The half-hour special will also show how straight and non-straight teens can come together to triumph over bullying.

“It takes bravery for a kid to come out,” says Ellerbee in a statement. “Being accepted by straight people is not a given.  Being young and ‘different’ is not easy. This may be tough to talk about, or hear about, but this is important stuff.  Not addressing it doesn’t make it go away.”

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.