From: Date: Mon, 12 Sep 1994 08:43:31 -0800 Subject: Call to Teachers This is a call for input. Please contact Debra Chasnoff or Helen Cohen, Co-Producers, Women's Educational Media 2180 Bryant St. # 203 - San Francisco, CA 94110 - (415) 641-4616 - fax: (415) 641-4632 email: wemdhc@aol.com ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATORS... We Need Your Help With A Ground-breaking Documentary Film on Preventing Homophobia Among School-Age Children Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Debra Chasnoff, LOOK THE OTHER WAY is an hour-long documentary that explores how children form their attitudes toward lesbians and gay men during the elementary school years, and examines the role schools should play in that process. While the media focus on right-wing hysteria about exposing children to hard core information about gay sex, LOOK THE OTHER WAY focuses on the messages school children are already receiving about gay people - through outright hostility or silence. It explores how efforts to prevent violence and sexual harassment and promote gender equity among children are undermined by policies that restrict discussion of homophobia in school. Against the backdrop of increasing political controversy and increasing levels of hate-related violence among young people, LOOK THE OTHER WAY goes past sensationalist sound bites ("they're teaching sodomy to first graders") to show how some teachers and school administrators across the United States are finding age-appropriate, sensitive ways to teach elementary and middle school children respect for all people, including gays and lesbians. This video will be available as a support for teachers and parents to advocate for the inclusion of gay-sensitive, age-appropriate material in the elementary and middle school curriculum. LOOK THE OTHER WAY also lays the foundation for three age-appropriate videos and interactive CD-ROM programs geared toward elementary and early middle school-age children which we are producing. The videos, which are intended for use in anti-bias curricula, focus on appreciating different kinds of families; preventing name-calling and taunting; and dispelling stereotypes about gay people. ************************************* WE NEED YOUR STORIES and EXPERTISE We are currently in pre-production, doing research for both the documentary and children's videos, and we need information, stories, insights, and suggestions from progressive educators around the country who are concerned about these issues. Specifically, we are looking for compelling stories of how gay issues and homophobia come up in the classroom, lunchroom, and schoolyard, and for schools where we could potentially film teachers taking positive action to help prevent homophobia. Do any teachers in your school integrate an awareness of lesbians and gays into their curricula? Have you felt pressure from administrators, parents, others NOT to discuss gay issues in the classroom? Do you know educators or parents we should contact? We want to hear from you! For information and suggestions, please contact: Debra Chasnoff or Helen Cohen, Co-Producers, Women's Educational Media 2180 Bryant St. # 203 - San Francisco, CA 94110 - (415) 641-4616 - fax: (415) 641-4632 email: wemdhc@aol.com