March 2007 Newsletter
That’s a Family! Under Review in New Jersey
UPDATE: After intense media coverage and debate, the school board in Evesham Township, New Jersey decided to temporarily suspend the use of That’s a Family! as part of its third grade health curriculum because some parents complained about its inclusion of children from gay- and lesbian-headed households. A committee of PTA members and teachers has formed to review the film and decide if it will continue to be used. We remain hopeful that Evesham Schools will re-evaluate and resume its use of this film to help create safer schools in the future.
Read the full story and see local and national media coverage.
If you live in New Jersey, contact National Organizer Ryan Schwartz about how you can support the school district to do the right thing.
Make a donation to the Respect For All Project to help continue our work to create safe and inclusive schools for all children.
Let’s Get Real Television Broadcast and Community Discussion
The Respect For All Project (RFAP), along with Melrose Massachusetts Television (MMTV) and the Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV) piloted a unique program to reach students, parents and community members and inspire community-wide dialogue about bullying and prejudice. MMTV broadcast Let’s Get Real several times during February, followed by a studio discussion with local students who further explored themes and issues raised in the film. MMAV worked closely with local schools to ensure that students watched the film and discussed it at home, preferably with parents. When students returned to school, they participated in anti-bullying and anti-bias activities and assignments with their classes.“MMAV's relationship with the school and community helped them successfully use Let’s Get Real to involve students and parents in a dialogue about prejudice and bullying. The level of conversation and engagement was inspiring!” —Kim Westheimer, educational consultant who advised MMAV on the project.
Religious Groups Seek Out RFAP Films
An increasing number of religious organizations are screening our films and talking about the issues they raise.- The First Parish in Bedford Unitarian Universalist Church in Massachusetts invited the entire congregation, including children, to a screening of That’s a Family!.
Lisa Rubin, Director of Religious Education said “After the film, the children got up and introduced their families. This really showed us how many different types of families we have – kids being raised by their grandparents, families with adopted children, families of mixed races and religions. Especially proud to introduce his family was a young boy with two dads.”
This year the event was followed by a screening of It’s Elementary. “The film helped people of all ages see that there are lesbian and gay students and teachers in our schools and that they all need to be affirmed and see themselves throughout the school,” said Lisa.
- In advance of a screening of Let’s Get Real sponsored by the Raynier Institute and Foundation and the Committee for Children in Seattle, our executive director Debra Chasnoff was invited to an interview on KCIS, a Christian radio station, where she talked about the prejudice, including homophobia, behind name-calling and bullying.
- Earlier this year, the Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church in Milford, CT organized a screening of That’s a Family! for community members at the local public library.
Let’s Get Real Boosts Seattle Bullying Awareness
The Raynier Institute and Foundation and The Committee for Children presented a screening of Let’s Get Real at the renowned Experience Music Project in Seattle, followed by a discussion with director Debra Chasnoff. Several television and radio stations covered the event, focusing on the epidemic of name-calling and bullying.See Debra’s interview on the ABC Affiliate Station in Seattle.
During the evening, a local seventh grader named Alana introduced herself and shared her experiences being bullied by a classmate. “When I came in here, I felt this small; but now I feel this big! I didn’t want to go to school because it didn’t feel safe or fun. Before I saw this movie, I didn’t know there were other kids who felt like I did.” Alana was inspired by the film to start an anti-bullying campaign at her school and show Let’s Get Real to her classmates.
“Now that I feel like I know what to do, I have big things to say. This movie empowered me to stand up and made me feel like ‘Wow, I can do this – why am I letting this get to me?’”
Donors in the News
Earlier this year, WEM board member Riaz Karamali and his wife Sumbul Ali-Karamali, longtime supporters of WEM and RFAP, wanted to provide an opportunity for others to learn about the work we are doing with youth, families and schools.They opened their home to friends, colleagues and neighbors to view Let’s Get Real, the RFAP documentary about the prejudice behind the national epidemic of name-calling and bullying. Party-goers had a chance to meet with our National Program Director Michael Courville and Executive Director Debra Chasnoff, who also shared a sneak preview of Straightlaced, the latest RFAP film now in production for teenagers about gender stereotypes.
“With the forces of division and intolerance unfortunately on the upswing in our society today, Women’s Educational Media’s mission of promoting respect and understanding has become all the more important,” said Riaz. “We are honored to support an organization that works tirelessly to highlight our common humanity.”
The Respect For All Project and Women’s Educational Media are deeply grateful for the ongoing support we receive from donors like Riaz and Sumbul. If you would like to host a house party, please email Adore Davidson or call 1-800-405-3322 ext 303.
Grants Awarded from the Arcus Foundation & Overbrook Foundation
The Arcus Foundation and Overbrook Foundation have generously provided two significant grants in support of the Respect For All Project’s upcoming film Straightlaced. Both grants will be used to plan and launch a media and education campaign for the film, which provides a much-needed diversity tool for teenagers to talk about gender and homophobia.“This essential funding comes at a critical time in the development and release of Straightlaced,” says Development Manager Adore Davidson. “With support, we will have the opportunity to make sure this important film reaches as many young people as possible.”
The Arcus Foundation grant is for $150,000 over two years and the Overbrook Foundation is for $50,000 over two years.
One Wedding and a Revolution Television Broadcast
Don’t miss the March 29 premiere of One Wedding and a Revolution on Free Speech TV. (Dish Satellite Channel 9415). One Wedding and a Revolution is our award-winning documentary that goes behind-the-scenes at San Francisco City Hall to reveal the political and legal hurdles faced by Mayor Newsom when granting same-sex marriage licenses in 2004. Features rare footage of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon’s ceremony, the first of over 4,000 that year.The Respect For All Project is a nonprofit program of Women's Educational Media and is supported by the generous contributions of many individuals, corporations and foundations.
If you share our vision that all children and families should be safe and respected in their schools and communities, please consider making a donation today.
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2180 Bryant St., Suite 203
San Francisco, CA 94110
1-800-405-3322
info@respectforall.org
www.respectforall.org