Two short films exploring the impact of marriage and adoption rights in diverse LGBT families.

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In My Shoes: Stories of Youth with LGBT Parents
Jen Gilomen & COLAGE 2005 31 min. USA

In the US alone, there are millions of people with one or more LGBT parents. While research shows that having LGBT parents does not lead to significant developmental differences, youth commonly experience intolerance in schools, and their voices are often unheard in the media, in government, or in their communities. Conceived of and produced by youth, In My Shoes features the voices of five young people who share their own views on marriage, making change, and what it means to be a family.

Out In The Heartland
Jen Gilomen & COLAGE 2005 31 min. USA

During the last ten years, LGBT people in Kentucky have lived with increasing openness in their neighborhoods, churches, schools, and workplaces. But in 2004, 75% of the state's voters passed a constitutional amendment defining marriage as "between one man and one woman." Filmed during the lead up to the referendum, Out In The Heartland examines how our nation's political, social and religious environments have been altered by anti-gay legislation. By profiling families, the film illuminates the long-term consequences that these amendments have for us all.

Students in our GSA requested to see films related to LGBTQ community. They were very upset about the decision with Prop 8 and thought it would be important to hear from youth directly that have parents who were impacted by this decision.

We showed In The Family to about 15 students and 6 staff in our Teen Resource Center. Students felt angry about how people reacted to the youth in In My Shoes when they informed others about their parents' sexual orientations. Overall, the students and staff really enjoyed the film.

—Judy Romero, GSA Advisor, Sequoia High School

Our goals were to learn about and discuss the debate over same-sex marriage in preparation for the election. We wanted to watch our video to help us become more enlightened and empowered to campaign against Prop 8.

The students were uplifted and encouraged by the films on the In The Family DVD. Most of them commented upon how nice it was to see families with two moms and two dads who were just as "normal" as any other family. They remarked that they wished their parents could see these kinds of families in order to break the myth that having gay parents is some kind of sinful, criminal, disgusting, and embarrassing thing. Most of my students commented that they wished that they lived in communities where gays and lesbians were more prominently out in the open and courageous like the people in the films.

My students are very eager to get more films. I found the films to be extraordinarily empowering!

—Anonymous, teacher, Southern California

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Curriculum Guide Learning Objectives:

• To explore concepts of family that includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals.


• To evaluate cultural norms regarding marriage and family.


• To develop an informed opinion about current issues and legislative and political issues regarding marriage, family, and the LGBT community.

Sample Classroom Discussion Questions:

• What does a family look like? Where do we get our ideas about what a "normal" family is or is not? Is your family "normal" by these definitions? Have you ever felt embarrassed by your family?


• Jessica lives with her aunt and her transgender uncle. From the outside, her family appears to conform to a heterosexual norm. However, when a friend discovers her uncle's former identity as a woman, Jessica is teased and treated differently. What are some things about your identity or your family that you can choose to reveal because they aren't obvious from the outside? When do you choose to share this information with others? When do you choose to keep it to yourself? Why?


• Jeff experiences some tension with his parents when their church funds a major campaign to define marriage as "one man, one woman." He feels that his parents support his family on a personal level, but are silent when it comes to policy. Why do you think Jeff's parents do not feel comfortable "being on the stump" to fight for the rights of LGBT families like their son's? What issues are important to you and your family? What issues do you and other members of your family disagree about? How do you handle these disagreements?

Sample GSA Activities:

• Consider ways to make your GSA more open to youth with LGBTQ parents. See COLAGE's Tips for Making GSAs Inclusive of Youth with LGBTQ Parents resources.


• Create a coloring book for young children with LGBT parents or family members. You can draw your own pictures, or re-assemble clip art, graphics, or existing coloring books. Write your own descriptions of scenes, like "Juan's moms Betty and Nikki take him to the zoo" or "Sally's dads always told him he can be anything he wants to when he grows up. (See Girls Will Be Boys Will Be Girls... for a cool example of a fabulous gender coloring book). You can make copies and donate them to a local LGBT community center, or volunteer to help out with childcare at a Pride or other LGBT event (but don't forget the crayons!).


• Create a Public Service Announcement about LGBT families and broadcast it on your school TV or radio station or over the PA system. See Marriage Equality Facts and Timeline in the Resources section for information to share.

  >> Want more? Download the complete Curriculum Guide and Action Guide here!