Sask. filmmaker's short shares personal journey to queer acceptance from childhood to adulthood - Action News
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SaskatchewanCreator Network

Sask. filmmaker's short shares personal journey to queer acceptance from childhood to adulthood

As a child, Filmmaker and author Nicole Mae didn't understand why people hated them. As an adult, they came to love themself and their queerness.

Nicole Mae came to love themself and their queerness as an adult

Happy Birthday, Nicole

2 years ago
Duration 2:43
Filmmaker Nicole Mae reflects on growing up as a queer person in a world that wasnt always kind to those who are different.

This short film was produced by Nicole Mae, a Regina-based poet and filmmaker, in collaboration with CBC's Creator Network.

Nicole Mae (they/she) was a creative child and a dreamerwho would get lost in their thoughts. But as they got older, Mae realized not everyone saw the world the way they did. Gradually, Mae's confidence eroded, to the point where they felt like nobody wanted them around.

A group of photos that depict Nicole Mae's childhood memories. (Nicole Mae)

In their film, Mae reflects on those difficultmemories fromchildhood, and how realizing they were queerbrought a whole new set of worries.

Mae says they just wanted to make others happy as achild and didn't understand why people hated them.

A pride flag is seen in a window. (Nicole Mae)

Mae says seeing Pride flags in peoples' windows, and some TV shows portraying gay characters, helped them come to terms with who they were. Many of these little things combined to give them a sense of belonging and comfort as they navigated their own life as a young queer person.

Nicole Mae wears jeans, along with a brightly coloured belt bag and yellow painted nails while holding a lollipop. (Nicole Mae)

As Mae got older, they began to love all the things that made them unique, including their humour, sensitivity and creativity, which were all derived from their queerness. Now 23, Mae feels free to dream again.