It Gets Better at Brigham Young University
LGBT youth who are also Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or LDS) face a difficult journey reconciling their faith with their LGBT identity. This “It Gets Better” video features students at Brigham Young University, which is an LDS-owned and operated university, who made this video as away of speaking to LGBT Mormon youth. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym0jXg-hKCI
A trans woman talks about how LGBT students can get through middle and high school
Jean is a transgender activist living in Maine. These are her thoughts about the options GLBT youth have to help them make it through middle and high school. (This video is closed captioned.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMJ916UxEyM
Our Families: LGBT Asian and Pacific Islander Stories
Check out the first video from Our Families, in our series of videos that highlight the trials of triumphs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people of color. Our Families is a community education campaign that raises the visibility of LGBT people of color. In this video Asian and Pacific Islanderfamilies share with us their personal experiences. (8 min.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJMqIEBf2lY&feature=youtu.be
To learn more about Our Families, go to http://www.basicrights.org/ourfamilies/
Larkin Street Stories: Neither/Nor: Working with Transgender Youth
This video provides guidance on using language that is fully inclusive and respectful of youths’ diverse sexual orientation and gender identities. It includes discussion of developing office forms that allow for a full range of self-identities and may be useful to anyone working in an office or clinic setting. It also give some clues about how youth understand gender presentation—i.e., how they think they need to “show up” to properly represent particular gender identities in particular settings. (7 min. 22 sec) http://www.youtube.com/user/SAMHSA#p/u/10/12AYYR3kMhQ
Anderson Cooper on trans youth and their parents
Anderson spends the hour talking to children who believe they are trapped in the wrong bodies, and discusses their parents’ journey to acceptance. The show also includes some expert opinion to give a better understanding of the medical and psychological aspects of transgender experiences, including options for children and others who are interested in physical changes to support their gender transition.
Anderson also speaks with a transgender woman recently expelled from college for applying as a female, and Kyle Allums, the first transgender Division 1 basketball player.
‘Coming Out’: Gay Teenagers in Their Own Words
Reader-submitted videos to the New York Times for a project initiated as an effort to better understand this generation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youths, and to explore its realities and expectations. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/05/23/us/20110523-coming-out.html?hp
An “Amazing” Anti-bullying, Acceptance Flashmob (elementary and secondary school students, Vancouver, BC)
Photos of Angie
This moving and powerful documentary chronicles the life and murder of Angie Zapata -- a transgender teen who was murdered in rural Colorado in 2008. The film includes extensive interviews with Angie’s family about her journey of self-discovery, transgender lives across the globe, hate crimes legislation, and the mysterious nature of her. http://www.photosofangie.com/
Zach Wahls Speaks about His Family
For a bit of inspiration, listen to this University of Iowa engineering student talk about his two moms. He is testifying on behalf of same-sex marriage in Iowa, where the recently earned right to marry is under attack. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSQQK2Vuf9Q
Rainbow Bear’s Wedding
Healthy Colorado Youth Alliance is doing a series of videos to publicize some of the problematic aspects of “abstinence only” sex education. This one points out how such programs disregard the needs of LGBT youth. (Suitable for children; short educational video in cartoon format.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk_kiNZJYfY&feature=player_embedded
Taking a Chance on God: A documentary profile of John McNeill, pioneer gay priest
“Taking a Chance on God” tells the story of 85 year-old John McNeill, Catholic priest and pioneering advocate for LGBT human rights. The film traces his life – from a childhood in Buffalo, his months as a prisoner of war in Nazi Germany, his call to priesthood and his ongoing passion for justice and equality. The film gives a rare look into the heart of one inspiring man’s journey as he negotiates his life as a Catholic priest and as a gay man. (The link has a trailer, information about the film, and contact information.) http://www.takingachanceongod.com/
Lead With Love
A 35-minute documentary that provides information and guidance for parents lesbian, gay, or bisexual youth. The film follows four families as they share their honest reactions to hearing that their child is gay. Interviews with psychologists, teachers, and clergy provide factual answers to parents' most commonly asked questions, as well as concrete guidance to help parents keep their children healthy and safe during this challenging time. http://www.leadwithlovefilm.com/
Transgender Basics Video
A 20-minute educational film on the concepts of gender and transgender people. Two professional folks discuss basic concepts of gender - sex, identity and gender roles, and three transgender community members share their personal experiences of being trans and genderqueer. Really a fine introduction to gender and gender identity for the general public. http://www.gaycenter.org/gip/transbasics/video
"I'm Just Anneke" is the first file in a four-part series of short films called The Youth And Gender Media Project designed to educate school communities about transgender and gender nonconforming youth. http://imjustanneke.com/Home.html
I Heart My Sexuality” Campaign
Here is a set of videos that highlight the strengths of LGBTQ youth, instill pride in the community, and tell stories of healthy relationships. The “I Heart My Sexuality” campaign address being in a relationship, being single, and connections to community and family. The videos were shot at a video booth at the Chicago Pride Festival. More videos on youth in same-sex relationships will be coming in the next few months. http://www.impactprogram.org
Faces and Facets of Transgender Experience
The purpose of creating "Faces and Facets of Transgender Experience" is to reveal a glimpse into the lives of gender diverse people and their families in order to expand understanding and dispel misinformation and stereotypes. The concept is to present the positive aspects of living one's life authentically in spite of the difficulties of discrimination and resulting losses. Eighteen people and their families share touching stories about the journey from despair to the joy of being the gender they were meant to be.
The focus of the film is particularly on families with gender variant children but also presents a spectrum of ages and backgrounds of transgender persons. "Faces and Facets" is targeted for a general audience that can include educators, business people, law enforcement officers, church members, and families.
Copies may be obtained for $15, which includes an 11 page discussion guide, by credit card via PayPal from PFLAG Boulder or for $10 by ordering directly with a check made out to PFLAG Boulder sent to Rollie Butler, 7983 Grasmere, Boulder, CO 80303
Fourteen-Year-Old Michigan Student Awesomely Stands Up for Suspended, Gay-Defending Teacher November 14, 2010
A teacher in Howell, Michigan, was temporarily suspended without pay after telling a student wearing a Confederate flag and a student making anti-gay remarks to leave his class. A 14-year-old Michigan student stands up for the teacher at a school board meeting. The inspiring video has made its way around the Internet, because how cool is this kid? http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/11/fourteen_year-old_michigan_stu.html
Put This on the Map
In 2008-2009, a group in Seattle’s eastside suburbs came together to create the PUT THIS ON THE {MAP} documentary. The project combined participatory action research strategies with youth leadership and community development. The result was the completion of a 34-minute documentary film in 2010. This link will take you to the group’s website, which has a brief (and excellent!) introductory video, as well as information about the project and their “touring company.”
Bullied: A Student, a School and a Case that Made History
This is a documentary film that chronicles one student’s ordeal at the hands of anti-gay bullies and offers an inspiring message of hope to those fighting harassment today. It can become a cornerstone of anti-bullying efforts in middle and high schools.
Available FREE, Bullied includes:
A 40-minute documentary film (DVD), with closed captioning and with Spanish subtitles
A two-part viewer’s guide with standards-aligned lesson plans and activities for use in staff development
Faces and Facets of Transgender Experience