GLBT Movies to Share With Your Teens

The social construction of sexuality in our country has mostly ignored the reality of gay and lesbian adolescents. Until into the 70’s the psychiatric profession regarded homosexuality as an illness, and well into the 80’s, gay youth were treated as if they were a distinct category from “normal” and almost a separate species.

In the 80’s and 90’s gay adolescents were characterized with a “suffering suicidal” script and the social expectation was that they could expect injustice and discrimination.

The early 2000’s have opened up the possibility that gay adolescents might include resilient, proud and adaptive individuals. In the future, I am hoping that “gay” adolescence will not exist and that same-sex-attracted individuals will be found to be quite ordinary, neither better or worse off than other adolescents.

Talking about GLBT issues can be hard for parents, but it is an important conversation to have, so your teens know they can talk with you about anything they ar thinking about. Below are movies with GLBT themes that you may want to watch with your teens - as a way to open up conversation about GLBT issues in your home. Have fun!

• In & Out (1997)
• But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)
• Hedwig & the Angry Inch (2001)
• Better than Chocolate (2002)
• Treading Water (2002)
• My Life on Ice (2002)
• Saved! (2003)
• The Trip (2003)
• Inescapable (2004)
• Mysterious Skin (2004)
• Saving Face (2004)
• Brokeback Mountain (2005)
• Transamerica (2005)
• Breakfast on Pluto (2005)
• Kinky Boots (2006)

Links to previous posts: Gay Teens, Gay Teen Suicide Risk
Photo Credit: Ayelle

Labels: GLBT, Sexuality

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