I'm new AND on the wrong coast, so I'm not sure that my response can be taken with more than a grain of salt.
My experience with media types is that they hide the truth beneath layers of double talk; For example:
"We are trying to give as many different groups a voice in the film as we can, as that will truly help deliver our message that people now more than ever, can be cruel, vicious & negative."
As I take out the scissors and dissect (sp?) that statement, my hackles are raised in alarm. I will draw your attention to the specific mention of "Our message". This means that this show has a viewpoint already and is looking to deliver "it's message", and to participate in this is to submit yourself to potential "cruel, vicious, and negative" comments on your life's direction. This may not be the intention of the OP, but as I stated earlier, my experience with media types is that they are in it for money and ratings, not for YOUR benefit.
In my opinion (and I work in a shipyard), people have been INCREDIBLY supportive and nonjudgemental. The only problems I seem to have are the folks between 18-25, who have not yet learned the "live and let live" mentality. I see no evidence, ANYWHERE, that people are now, more than ever, cruel, vicious, and negative. If anything, I've found that people are more accepting, less judgemental, and generally nonchalante (sp?) about what one does with their life.