Coming Out: What Every Teen (Gay and Straight) Needs to Know
Catalogue Number: 600540
Producer: Human Relations Media
Subject: Gender Studies, Guidance, Health and Medicine
Language: English
Grade Level: 9 - 12, Post Secondary
Country Of Origin: United States
Copyright Year: 2010
Running Time: 23:00
Closed Captions: Yes
According to a recent national poll, approximately 5% of America's high school students (3 to 4 million students) identify themselves as lesbian or gay. "Coming out", or announcing one's sexual preference and identity as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), can be an uncomfortable process for everyone - faculty, straight students and of course for the LGBT students themselves. This sensitive, informative video offers revealing portraits of real LGBT kids who have come out in schools across the country, as well as their straight allies and their teachers who have dealt with this issue. The program focuses on the psychological and legal issues of bullying and sexual harassment and stresses the importance of creating a safe, tolerant environment for all students, regardless of one's own personal beliefs or feelings.
Includes Resource Guide.
Association for Library Service to Children: Notable Children's Video
Starred Review - The issue of homophobic bullying in school is tackled head-on in this well-made program. Viewers meet a teenage gay man, a lesbian couple, a transgender person, and a straight ally who each share their experiences. Dominique Walker’s story about her 11-year-old brother who was bullied with homophobic slurs until he committed suicide is particularly heartbreaking and illuminates the need for safe spaces for young people whose gender expression makes them targets, whether or not they are actually gay. In complementary interview segments, Dr. Elisabeth Schroeder of Rutgers and Dr. Ritch C. Savin-Williams of Cornell University offer advice to GLBT (gay. lesbian, bisexual, transgender) teens on how and why to come out, as well as reasons for heterosexual teens to care about homophobia. The guide provides teachers with an array of material for classroom use, including group exercises, fact sheets, and further resources both in print and online. Though of limited use in public libraries, this informative production is an essential resource for middle and high schools. - Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library, CA - School Library Journal
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