Bullied: A Student, a School and a Case that Made History

2010 Southern Poverty Law Center

intended audience: teens, parents, anyone working in the school system or with teens

The Southern Poverty Law Center has released this inspiring story of a young gay man who took a stand against the bullying he experienced in school. The film is designed to help school administrators, teachers and counselors create a safer school environment for all students. It is also intended to help all students understand the terrible toll bullying can take on its victims, and to encourage students to stand up for their classmates who are being harassed. Bullied has been endorsed by the National Education Association. The 40 minute DVD comes with a two-part viewer’s guide - additional materials are also available online (www.tolerance.org/bullied).

Anyone and Everyone

2007 Iron Zeal Films

Intended Audience: parents of lgbt youth, especially those from a religious or conservative background

Connected by having a son or daughter who is gay, parents across the country from all walks of life discuss their experiences. Individuals from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds share intimate accounts of how their children revealed that they’re homosexual and discuss their responses. The parents also talk about struggling with the pain their sons and daughters have dealt with, such as not being accepted by relatives and/or friends and being ostracized by religious congregations.

Fish Out of Water

2009 First Run Features

intended audience: probably young adults but good for any age, Christian specific content

This is a funky feature documentary that uses animation and academic interviews to dissect seven Bible verses used to condemn homosexuality. The director, Ky Dickens, highlights the oft-quoted Bible passages followed by revelatory commentary on them by celebrated scholars to make her point that the Bible is misinterpreted and misquoted regarding same-sex relationships. The animated elements of this film, complete with a cartoon narrator, makes Fish out of Water a fresh attempt to tackle an old issue. (60 min)

For the Bible tells me so

2007 First Run Features

intended audience: Christians with a conservative or evangelical bent

Does God really condemn loving homosexual relationships? Is the chasm separating Christianity from gays and lesbians too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuse to hate? These questions and more are answered in this award-winning documentary, which brilliantly reconciles homosexuality and Biblical scripture - and reveals that religious anti-gay bias is based almost solely upon a misinterpretation of the Bible. Through the experiences of five very normal, Christian, American families - including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson - we discover how people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child or family member. (98 min)

In my shoes: stories of youth with lgbt parents

2005 Frameline

intended audience: everyone - an important and often overlooked perspective and experience of heterosexism

In a time when lgbt families are debated and attacked in the media, courts and Congress, from school houses to state houses across the country, five young people who are children of lgbt parents give you a chance to walk in their shoes - to hear their own views on marriage, making change, and what it means to be a family. This film was produced by the COLAGE Youth Leadership and Action Program. (31 min)

Milk

2008 Focus Features

intended audience: general movie-goers - it’s rated R for “language, some sexual content and brief violence”

Based on the inspiring true story of Harvey Milk (Sean Penn), the first openly gay man elected to major public office in the US. The film follows Milk’s journey to inspire hope for equal rights during one of the least tolerant times in US history. Milk received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, winning two for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Penn and Best Original Screenplay for Dustin Lance Black. (2h 9 min)

One in 2000

2006 Polyvinyl Pictures

intended audience: everyone who doesn’t know very much about intersex people, common experiences of prejudice, etc.

One in 2000 explores the lives of people who are born with sex anatomy that doesn’t fit into standard “male” or “female” categories. Interweaving current stories with 1950’s educational films, the experiences of people with intersex conditions are demystified. Meet many adults who speak candidly about their lives as intersex people. Hear how growing up with a body that is different affects relationships, adolescence, treatment from doctors and families. Discover how common intersex conditions are, and how creating a cultural climate of acceptance could make all the difference in the lives of future generations. (26 min)

Straightlaced: How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up

2009 GroundSpark

intended audience: teens or even pre-teens and adults in their lives

Meet 50 diverse students who take us on a powerful, intimate journey to see how popular pressures around gender and sexuality are shaping the lives of today’s American teens. An uplifting and surprisingly funny film that accessibly demonstrates how gender-based expectations are deeply intertwined with homophobia, and also are impacted by race, ethnicity, and class. From girls confronting popular messages about culture and body image, to boys who are sexually active just to prove they aren’t gay, Straightlaced reveals the toll that deeply  held stereotypes and rigid gender policing have on all of our lives, and offers both teens and adults a way out of anxiety, fear, and violence. (67 min)

Unlearning Homophobia Series

2004 Woman Vision and EyeBite Productions

Three separate documentaries, each addressing the emotional issue of discrimination’s effects on families, communities, and churches.

Straight From the Heart: Explores (white) parents’ journey to a new understanding of their lesbian and gay children by presenting simple stories about real families from across the country. (24 min)

All God’s Children: Presents a political, social, and religious analysis of sexual orientation within the context of the traditional African American values of freedom, inclusion, and the Christian ethic. (25 min)

De Colores: Lesbian and Gay Latino Stories of Strength, Family and Love: A bilingual documentary about how Latino families and communities are replacing the deep roots of homophobia with the even deeper roots of love and tolerance. Through moving personal stories, audiences learn about how families are breaking cultural barriers and how love always prevails. (28 min)