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Gay and Lesbian Issues
“A Christian Approach to Homosexuality and Homophobia”
In this presentation given at the University of Notre Dame, Bishop Thomas
Gumbleton tells of his personal struggle to overcome his own homophobia
and the experience of confronting homosexuality in his own family, which
he describes as “a great grace in my life.” He calls for a more
pastoral approach to homosexual people in the Church. His presentation is
followed by a question-and-answer period. (Gumbleton’s presentation is
45 minutes long; total tape is 1 hour, 25 minutes)
“After Stonewall: From the Riots to the Millennium”
The film covers the last 30 years of the 20th century. It explores the
declassification of homosexuality as a disease; the growth of gay presses
and writers; gay wins in political office; and the formation of a national
gay lobbying presence in the Human Rights Fund. It also chronicles the
anti-gay hysteria evoked by Anita Bryant; the rise of AIDS, the blind eye
of the federal government; and the growth of the Christian Coalition. (87
minutes)
“Before Stonewall”
Before Stonewall is a documentary about the evolution of gay culture in
the United States from the early 1920s to the Stonewall riot of 1969. The
film most prominently features the gay underground of the ’20s and
’30s, the rise of gay service in the military and workforce during World
War II, the persecution of gays as “subversives” and “sexual
perverts” in the State Department by Senator McCarthy, the growth of the
first grassroots political organizations for gay men and lesbians in the
’50s, and of course, the civil rights movement. Commentary is provided
by the gay men and lesbians who came of age in the years leading up to
Stonewall. (87 minutes)
“Frontline: Assault on
Gay America”
In February 1999, 30-year-old Bill Jack Gaither was
murdered. The accused killer,
a known white supremacist, testified he killed Gaither because he was
“queer.” Why have gays
like Gaither and Matthew Shepard become the targets of such brutality?
Frontline correspondent Forrest Sawyer explores the roots of
homophobia in America and asks how these attitudes, beliefs and fears
contribute to the recent rise in violence against gays.
(60 minutes)
“Hate.com: Extremists in the Internet”
Hate has a new home, and it’s called the Internet. With the potential to
reach an audience of over 250 million, the gospel of hate is being
projected worldwide, more cheaply and effectively than ever. At last count
there were more than 250 hate sites on the Internet, including sites aimed
at children and women. This documentary, produced by HBO, looks at some of
the most menacing of these sites and their creators. (40 minutes)
“It’s Elementary: Talking about Gay Issues in School”
Most adults probably don’t see why or how schools should address lesbian
and gay issues with elementary school age children. With inspiring
classroom footage, this video urges educators and parents to re-think
their assumptions. It shows what actually happens when teachers lead class
discussions that address anti-gay prejudice. It makes a powerful case that
children need to be taught respect for all, and that this kind of
education needs to begin in elementary school. (78 minutes)
“Licensed To Kill”
This video probes the lives of men whose contempt for homosexuals led them
to murder. It examines the social, political and cultural environments of
these men and asks whether society has given them a “license to kill.”
Study guide accompanies this video. (N.B. This is an uncompromising film.
The graphic photos and violence portrayed, use of profanity and life
stories of these violent men may be disturbing to some viewers.) (53
minutes.)
“Pink Triangles”
This video is a study of prejudice that challenges some of our most deeply
rooted feelings: our attitudes toward homosexuality. Although the film is
primarily about homophobia — the fear and persecution of gays and
lesbians — it is also about the very nature of discrimination and
oppression. It examines both historical and contemporary patterns of
persecution in which racial, religious, political, and sexual minorities
are singled out as “different,” “not normal,” or “inferior”
and become the victims of the scapegoat mentality of societies under
stress. (35 minutes)
“Sacred Lies, Civil Truths”
This video documents the legislative efforts of the so-called
“religious” right to deny gay and lesbian people their civil rights in
the United States. Its purpose is to educate and motivate people to
organize effectively against this movement and the fear and hatred that
drives it. (60 minutes)
“Sexuality and Intimacy”
The Congregation Committee on Women invited Jeannine Gramick, SSND,
co-founder of New Ways Ministry, to address this topic at their May 1998
meeting. Jeannine addressed Church teaching on homosexuality, the latest
scientific definitions of homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality,
and discussed issues of interest and importance to women religious
relative to our lifestyle. She also raised concerns that need to be
addressed in the formation process. Copies of the handouts she used during
her presentation are available with this video. (1 hour, 45 minutes)
“Sexuality and Intimacy”
While many gay, lesbian and
transgendered people flee small towns to find acceptance in larger
cities, some decide to stay. This is their story. Produced by
Kevin Smith and directed by Malcolm Ingram, Small Town Gay Bar is at
once a history of oppression, a cry for peace, and an intricate
portrait of two of these bars, Rumors and Crossroads, and the vibrant
group of people who find a second home and a second family there. (2006/
81 minutes/Ironweed
Film Club)
“When Democracy Works”
Examines the radical right wing in the United States and effective
grassroots resistance to their anti-democratic agenda. It features case
studies on the Right including David Duke’s campaigns for political
office in Louisiana, the conservative drive to pass anti-gay legislation
in Colorado, and the anti-immigrant Proposition 187 and anti-Affirmative
Action initiatives in California. (30 minutes)
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