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Love Free Or Die DISCUSSION GUIDE Love Free or Die PBS.ORG/INDEPENDENTLENS/LOVE-FREE-OR-DIE Table of Contents 1 Using this Guide 2 From the Filmmaker 3 The Film 4 Background Information 5 Religious Teachings and Homosexuality 5 Changing Attitudes over Time 6 What Does Science Tell Us? 7 Same-Sex Marriage in the United States and Around the World 8 Love Free or Die Topics Relevant to 8 Thinking More Deeply 9 Suggestions for Action 10 Resources 11 Credits national center for MEDIA ENGAGEMENT Using this Guide Community Cinema is a rare public forum: a space for people to gather who are connected by a love of stories, and a belief in their power to change the world. This discussion guide is designed as a tool to facilitate dialogue, and deepen understanding of the complex issues in the film Love Free or Die. It is also an invitation to not only sit back and enjoy the show — but to step up and take action. This guide is not meant to be a comprehensive primer on a given topic. Rather, it provides important context, and raises thought provoking questions to encourage viewers to think more deeply. We provide suggestions for areas to explore in panel discussions, in the classroom, in communities, and online. We also provide valuable resources, and connections to organizations on the ground that are fighting to make a difference. For information about the program, visit www.communitycinema.org DISCUSSION GUIDE // LOVE FREE OR DIE 1 From the Filmmaker I’ve been directing documentaries for almost 20 years, but this film feels like the one I was born to make. My father, grandfather, and great-grandfather for whom I am named were all Christian clergy. When I came out to my dad 25 years ago in his church office, he said that the only way to be happy is to tell no one. I didn’t follow his advice – but tragically many who receive that kind of advice do. My dad has since changed his mind – why? Because he’s seen me flourish. In Love Free or Die, we see Bishop Gene Robinson and others I remember standing in the balcony of the church with my camera- flourish – even as they’re discriminated against. When the world man with tears stinging my eyes, knowing that there was nothing sees them living and working in their communities in powerful lov- I could do to protect my friend, the bishop. That was the moment ing ways, I believe people’s hearts will be moved and their minds on this project that I became aware of the cost of taking a will be changed. Just like in my family, when they know us, when historic stand. I recognized that Gene Robinson really might die they really see us, they’ll be less able to vote against us. The truth for what he believed, that he had committed to doing so if he will set us – and by us, I mean all of us — free. had to, and that it might very well happen on my watch. There is a scene in the film where a bishop is speaking with two Hats off, at the end of the day, to Bishop Robinson and the count- gay dads and their ten-year-old son. The bishop, who is sup- less others who came before him, flank him, and follow him. portive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality, tries to We rarely apprehend just how much these people have put on the explain why their church refused the child baptism, just because line in order for us to enjoy our freedom. It has been a privilege to the child’s parents were gay. As the three adults grasp for an try to bring that to light. adequate explanation, the child states simply, “It’s their fear.” One of the fathers, stunned by the child’s clarity, echoes, “That’s right. It’s fear of what they don’t know.” It is crazy to think a little child would know better than two thou- sand years of the world’s finest theologians and thinkers, but not so crazy. It is a new experience being the child of gay parents. It is a new experience being a gay bishop. It is a new experience being in a same-sex marriage with two children we set out to adopt together. This generation of pioneers are the ones who will see and show once and for all whether LGBT people are corrupt, as two thousand years of moral teaching has posited, or good. The heart-stopping moment for me in this film happened in England. From the pulpit of a renegade church that invites Bishop Robinson to preach, against the wishes of the archbishop, Gene says, “The opposite of love is not hate, but fear.” Minutes later, as if pro- voked by the truth, a burly man jumps up, screaming "Repent!" and looks as if he might shoot. For 30 seconds or so, no one knows what is going to happen. The congregation starts clapping and then breaks into song to drown out the threatening man. Macky Alston, Director The bishop is entirely vulnerable. DISCUSSION GUIDE // LOVE FREE OR DIE 2 The Film In 2003, the Episcopal Church in the United States, an arm of Robinson has continued to speak out, saying the Church “has the 78 million-strong Anglican Communion, made history when it wrong” when it excludes LGBT people. For him, it is not just it installed Gene Robinson as a bishop. An openly gay person, a matter of religious belief: It is a matter of justice. He chal- Robinson’s elevation in the New Hampshire diocese ignited a lenges those who use religion as an instrument of oppression, worldwide firestorm in the Anglican Communion. Love Free or and claims a place in the Church and society, not just for LGBT Die is about a man whose two defining passions much of people, but for everyone. Love Free or Die is about church the world cannot reconcile: his love for God and for his and state, love and marriage, faith and identity — and one man's partner Mark. struggle to dispel the notion that God's love has limits. After being elected Bishop, Robinson received a steady stream Selected Individuals Featured in Love Free or Die of death threats. He wore a bulletproof vest to his installation, and received police protection at his New Hampshire home. Bishop Barbara Harris – First female Anglican bishop When the Lambeth Conference — the decennial gathering in Bishop Bob Duncan – Diocese of Pittsburgh Canterbury, England, of the Church’s 800 bishops – took place Bishop Jon Bruno – Diocese of Los Angeles in 2008, Robinson was not invited. He traveled to England Archbishop Rowan Williams – Archbishop of Canterbury regardless to make himself available to anyone interested in Bishop Otis Charles – Diocese of Utah (retired) his perspective, but he was shunned by the conference and Mark Andrew – Robinson’s partner achieved only limited contact with other bishops. A year later, Ella Robinson – Robinson’s younger daughter Robinson found more acceptance in his own country, delivering Jamee Robinson – Robinson’s older daughter the invocation on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to open the Imogene Robinson – Robinson’s mother inaugural events for President Barack Obama. Charles Robinson — Robinson’s father Through on-screen statements from Robinson’s colleagues — among them Barbara Harris, the first female Anglican bishop, and Pittsburgh’s Bishop Bob Duncan, who was Robinson’s classmate at theology school — the film examines the deep con- flict within the Anglican Communion that Robinson’s election illuminated. Unlike the Church, Robinson’s family, including his two grown daughters and his parents, embrace his sexuality and his marriage to Mark. In July 2009, the Episcopal Church General Convention passed two resolutions: one allowing the consecration of gay bishops, and the other allowing church weddings in states where mar- riage for same-sex couples is legal. This was a turning point for both Robinson and the Church, representing a change of views by a significant percentage of Church leaders. DISCUSSION GUIDE // LOVE FREE OR DIE 3 Background Information V. Gene Robinson – Biographical and Career Highlights Honors and publications: Holds two honorary doctorates and Early life: Born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1947 to parents who received awards for civil rights work from the Human Rights worked as tenant farmers. At birth, Robinson was gravely ill Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the Lambda and not expected to live. He had a religious upbringing as a mem- Legal Defense and Education Fund, Gay & Lesbian Advocates ber of the Disciples of Christ church. & Defenders (GLAD), the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union, GLAAD, and the Equality Forum. Gave the invocation at the opening Education: BA in American Studies from the University of the inaugural ceremonies for President Barack Obama at the Lincoln South in Sewanee, Tennessee, 1969; Master of Divinity Memorial on January 18, 2009. Books include In the Eye of the degree from the General Theological Seminary (Episcopal) in Storm: Swept to the Center by God, and God Believes in Love: New York, 1973. Straight Talk about Gay Marriage. Personal: Married Isabella McDaniel in 1972, after openly sharing Current: Retired as bishop on January 5, 2013. Serves as part- concerns with her about his sexuality. Father of two daughters: time senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, Jamee, born in 1977, and Ella, born in 1981. Came out as gay a liberal think tank in Washington, D.C. in 1985, separated from Isabella and later amicably divorced her. Entered into a civil union with Mark Andrew, his partner of 20 years, Sources: in 2008.
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