The LGBTIQ community are still subjected to whispers, to rumours, and to lack of acceptance in many families. This campaign for Respect Victoria that I wrote whilst at The Shannon Company aimed to show that a simple, strong, and positive action of love can potentially overcome negative views. The commercial really hit close to home for me, as in the casting process the director (the wonderful Thomas Charles Hyland) presented his casting preference, and it just so happened to be my cousin and her girlfriend. It was all meant to be! They did great.
A wonderful postscript to the filming was hearing that one of the extras (a woman in her 60s) left the set overcome with emotion after calling her sister. Her sister had gone through the exact scenario I had written, and it really meant a lot to have such a powerfully, simple story such as this out in the world to empower those who have been downtrodden for so many years.
