Documentaries on Gay And Lesbian Education in Elementary Schools to Screen at the Wexner Center

Panel Discussion and Reception to Follow

On Tuesday, October 7, the groundbreaking documentary It’s Elementary and the follow-up It’s Still Elementary will screen at the Wexner Center for the Arts.

Debra Chasnoff’s It's Elementary—Talking About Gay Issues in School—screened at the Wex in 1996—challenged the way educators discussed gay and lesbian issues with children in a school setting. After its initial airing on public television, The award-winning film became a catalyst for a national movement to teach children respect for gay and lesbian people through classroom discussions. The new documentary It's Still Elementary follows up with some of the students and teachers from the original film, and examines the need it continues to fulfill today.

Visitors are invited to stay after the films for a panel discussion moderated by Brad Mitchell, OSU/Battelle Director, STEM Education and Economic Development Engagement, and featuring teachers from the Pink T.I.G.ers, a teacher inquiry group committed to fighting homophobia in schools. The film begins at 7 pm. After the discussion, a free dessert reception concludes the evening.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Tickets are $7 for the general public, $5 for Wexner Center members, students, and senior citizens, and $3 for children under 12. For tickets call (614) 292-3535 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. The film screens at 7pm, followed by a panel discussion and free dessert reception. Located in the Wexner Center’s Film/ Video Theater at 1871 North High St. For more information visit www.wexarts.org.

For Teachers:

Educators who attend the film screening will be invited to sign-up for a follow-up workshop examining strategies to promote sensitivity in the classroom. The workshop will use a casestudy project from a local school district.

 

Support:

Cosponsored by the Pink T.I.G.ers.

 

Additional support is provided by Equality Ohio, Groundspark, Indianola K–8 PTO, Kaleidoscope Youth Center, the Ohio State University GLBT Alumni Society, Stonewall Columbus, and Ohio State’s Multicultural Center, Sexuality Studies program, School of Teaching & Learning, and Mansfield Campus Education Department.

 

Significant contributions for the Wexner Center’s 2008–09 film/video season are made by the Rohauer Collection Foundation.

 

All film/video programs and events also receive support from Corporate Annual Fund of the Wexner Center Foundation and Wexner Center members, as well as from the Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, Nationwide Foundation, and the Ohio Arts Council.