Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Recommended Fiction and Nonﬁ Ction Resources for K-12 Schools Table of Contents

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Recommended Fiction and Nonﬁ ction Resources for K-12 Schools Table of Contents

Introduction ...... 1

Primary (Grades K-3) ...... 2

Upper Elementary (Grades 4 to 6) ...... 6

Junior High (Grades 6 to 9) ...... 8

Senior High (Grades 9 to 12) ...... 11

Nonﬁ ction Resources for Students and TeacherTeacherss ...... 1919

Documentary and NonNonﬁﬁ ction DVDs ...... 24

Feature FilmsFilms ...... 2929 Introduction

Materials in this resource list journals (such as School Library support Edmonton Public Schools’ Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, and commitment to providing safe, Canadian Review of Materials welcoming, inclusive, and Magazine) and/or recognition by equitable environments, which awards for youth literature (such are free of discrimination and as the Governor General Award), harassment for all students, staff, and those administered by the and families who identify or Canadian Children’s Book Centre, are perceived as being lesbian, the American Library Association, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and others. A concerted effort transsexual, two-spirited, queer, has been made to include high and/or questioning. These quality age-appropriate materials resources meet the District’s and for a wide variety of students and Alberta Education’s criteria of learning styles. We have also placed presenting diverse points of view emphasis on newer releases, to meet the programming and landmark resources, and as much curricular needs of all students Canadian content as possible. Many by recognizing diversity and of the following resources can be promoting respect in the K-12 borrowed for preview purposes program of studies. The materials from the Edmonton Public Library selected for this list have received and/or ordered from the Teachers’ positive reviews in critical review Book Depository.

LEGEND

HI / LO S Canadian title High Interest / Low Stonewall Award Vocabulary series American Library (aimed at students reading Association Stonewall below grade level) Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award

1 Primary (Grades K-3)

Bedford, David Bunnell, Jacinta and Nat Kusinitz It’s a George Thing! (2008) Sometimes the Spoon Runs ISBN: 978-1405228053 Away with Another Spoon K-Grade 1 Coloring Book (2010) George the zebra spends most of ISBN: 978-1604863291 his time playing basketball and K-Grade 4 lifting weights with his two best Fun activity book plays with friends, even though he really isn’t classic fairytales and depicts those fond of either of those boy-type who don’t fi t into neat gender activities. Eventually, he discovers categorizations, like tough girls and an activity he loves and learns to sensitive boys. believe in himself and his friends. De Haan, Linda & Stern Nijland Bertouille, Ariane King and King (2002) Ulysse et Alice (2006) ISBN: 978-1582460611 ISBN: 978-2890912373 K-Grade 2 K-Grade 3 A queen declares that her son, A French-language picture book the prince, must be married by from Quebec that addresses the summer’s end. Although princesses realities of same-sex parented come from far and wide, the prince families with humour and fi nds his match when he fi rst lays tenderness. Ulysse, a 7-year-old boy his eyes on another prince. They living with his two mothers, wants marry and live happily ever after. to adopt a pet mouse named Alice. One of the most frequently banned or challenged books in North Brannen, Sarah America. Uncle Bobby’s Wedding (2008) ISBN: 978-0399247125 De Haan, Linda & Stern Nijland K-Grade 2 King and King and Family (2004) Chloe’s Uncle Bobby is getting ISBN: 978-1582461137 married to his male partner. She’s K-Grade 3 worried that this will change their In the further adventures of King special relationship until she is & King, the newlywed couple takes invited to be a fl ower girl, and fi nds a honeymoon trip to a jungle and that she now has two special uncles. see all kinds of different families. Upon their return home, their wish for a family of their own is fulfi lled.

2 PRIMARY (GRADES K-3)

dePaola, Tomie Fierstein, Harvey Oliver Button is a Sissy (1999; 2001) The Sissy Duckling (2005) ISBN: 978-0156681407 ISBN: 978-1416903130 K-Grade 3 K-Grade 3 Oliver pursues his love of dancing, Elmer is a sissy boy duckling who in spite of being bullied by the other likes to bake cakes, build forts boys at school and being called a and put on puppet shows. This sissy by his own father. book teaches us to embrace our differences and celebrate special Elwin, Rosamund identities and talents. & Michele Paulse Asha’s Mums (1990) Freeman, Martha ISBN: 978-0889611436 The Trouble with Babies (2002) K-Grade 3 ISBN: 978-0823416981 Grade 2-4 Asha’s main concern is going on a school ﬁ eld trip. She is almost left After nine-year-old Holly and behind, however, when her teacher her family move to a different demands that only her biological neighborhood in San Francisco, she mom sign her permission slip. makes new friends, meets a new baby, and helps keep track of her Ewert, Marcus stepfather’s four cats. One of her 10,000 Dresses (2008) new friends has two dads. ISBN: 978-1583228500 K-Grade 2 Gravett, Emily The Odd Egg (2009) Every night, Bailey dreams about magical dresses, but no one wants ISBN: 978-0230531352 K-Grade 1 to hear about his beautiful dreams. “You’re a BOY!” Mother and Father When Duck ﬁ nds an egg of his tell Bailey. “You shouldn’t be own he’s delighted: it’s the most thinking about dresses at all.” Then beautiful egg in the world! But all Bailey meets an older girl who is the other birds think it’s a very odd touched and inspired by Bailey’s egg indeed and everyone is in for a imagination. In friendship, the two BIG surprise when the egg hatches. begin making dresses together. A subtle approach to discussing Uplifting and trans-positive. alternative families.

3 PRIMARY (GRADES K-3)

Kuklin, Susan Jiménez, Karleen P Families (2006) Are You a Boy or a Girl? (2000) ISBN: 978-0786808229 ISBN: 978-1896781143 K-Grade 4 K-Grade 2 Children from diverse families A book to open the conversation — including gay, lesbian, single, about what it means to be a boy or adoptive, multiracial and divorced — a girl and the many possibilities of share their thoughts about families. expressing oneself. Newman, Leslea Kay, Verla The Boy Who Cried Fabulous (2007) Rough, Tough Charley (2007) ISBN: 978-1582462240 ISBN: 978-1582461847 K-Grade 3 K-Grade 4 A boy named Rodger uses the word Picture book biography of a fearless “fabulous” to describe everything stagecoach driver from the Old West he sees. Despite his enthusiasm, whom everyone believed to be Rodger’s parents attempt to ban male until after his/her death. his use of the word. Rodger uses Kilodavis, Cheryl his creativity to ﬁ nd another way My Princess Boy (2010) to express the wonder that he sees ISBN: 978-1442429888 around him and in the end his K-Grade 3 parents come to see the fabulous nature of his ways. An impressive Dyson is a 4-year-old boy who has rhyming book that subtly addresses a passion for dresses and all things issues related to gender expression. sparkly. His family poignantly discusses their work to address and Parr, Todd overcome the negative reactions The Family Book (2010) of others as Dyson explores his ISBN: 978-0316070409 identity. Whimsical illustrations help K-Grade 2 to tell the story of a boy who can Represents a variety of families, grow up to be, and fully express, some big and some small, some himself with the support of his with only one parent and some friends, family, and school. with two moms or dads, some quiet and some noisy, but all alike in some ways and special no matter what. See Todd Parr’s It’s Ok to Be Different and Otto Goes to Camp for more examples of the importance of diversity and difference.

4 PRIMARY (GRADES K-3)

Polacco, Patricia Setterington, Ken In Our Mothers’ House (2009) Mom and Mum Are ISBN: 978-0399250767 Getting Married (2004) K-Grade 4 ISBN: 978-1896764849 Three children experience the joys K-Grade 3 and challenges of being raised from Rosie and her brother Jack help babyhood into adulthood by two Mom and Mum get married at their mothers. cottage. One of the ﬁ rst picture Richardson, Justin & Peter Parnell books to recognize and celebrate And Tango Makes Three (2005) the realities of same-sex marriages in Canada. ISBN: 978-0689878459 K-Grade 3 U’Ren, Andrea The true story of Roy and Silo, Pugdog (2001) two male penguins in the Central ISBN: 978-0374361495 Park Zoo, who make a family by K-Grade 2 sitting on an abandoned egg until it A tough, spiked-collar-wearing dog hatches. One of the most frequently is unhappily forced to conform challenged and banned books in to her owner’s idea of gender North America. expression when a vet reveals that Rickards, Lynne Pugdog is female. When a prissy Pink! (2009) white poodle turns out to be male, Pugdog’s owner realizes he must ISBN: 978-0545086080 K-Grade 3 change his attitude, not his dog. What’s a penguin to thinthinkk when he wakes up pinkpink?? Poor Patrick hates the idea ooff being didifferentfferent ffromrom all his ffriendsriends and sets ooffff to AAfricafrica in search ooff ﬂ amingos who might aacceptccept a pinpinkk penguin. He returns home and learns to accept himselhimself.f.

5 Upper Elementary (Grades 4-6)

Appelt, Kathi Howe, James Keeper (2010) The Misﬁ ts (2003) ISBN: 978-1416950608 ISBN: 978-0689839566 Grade 4-7 Grade 4-8 Ten-year-old Keeper searches for her Four best friend “misﬁ ts,” one of mermaid mother who abandoned whom is called a “fairy,” decide her when she was three. This story to change life at their school by about chosen families, including starting a campaign against name- a male couple, is set on the Gulf calling. An excellent book to explore Coast of Texas and has the timeless gender stereotypes and non- feel of a fable. conformity.

Harper, Charise Mericle Howe, James Flashcards of My Life (2007) Totally Joe (2007) ISBN: 978-0316166768 ISBN: 978-0689839580 Grade 5-8 Grade 5-8 Emily’s life in junior high school In 13-year-old Joe’s alphabiography and at home is revealed as she assignment – the story of his life uses the journaling fl ashcards her from A to Z – he bares his soul and Aunt Chester sent as a birthday comes out to his parents, teachers, gift to help sort through changing friends and family. This sequel friendships, possible boyfriends, to The Misfi ts is a thoroughly and her mother’s obsession engaging and heart-felt read. An with nutty desserts. Lesbianism excellent novel that can be used is discussed by Emily and her to open up classroom discussions cclassmateslassmates iinn rereferenceference to one ooff surrounding sexual identity in upper their teachers, and EEmily’smily’s mother elementary and junior high schools. aappearsppears to hhaveave hhadad a rerelationshiplationship with a woman in the ppast.ast. Ignatow, Amy The Popularity Papers (2010) ISBN: 978-0810984219 Grade 4-6 Best friends Lydia and Julia embark on a scrapbook project to study the behaviour of the popular girls at their elementary school so that they too will be able to fi t in with the right crowd. Julie’s parents are both male.

6 UPPER ELEMENTARY (GRADES 4-6)

Walliams, David Woodson, Jacqueline The Boy in a Dress (2010) After Tupac and D Foster (2010) ISBN: 978-0007279043 ISBN: 978-0142413999 Grade 5-8 Grade 6-8 Twelve-year-old Dennis lives with Three girls bond over their shared his dad and his older brother. He love of Tupac Shakur’s music in really misses his mom. Dennis New York City in 1996, as together loves soccer and he also loves they try to make sense of the Vogue magazine (which he keeps unpredictable world in which they hidden under his mattress). He live. One of the girls has an older becomes friends with an older girl brother, Tash, who is fl amboyantly at school, Lisa, who shares his gay and is in prison for a crime love of fashion. Lisa encourages he didn’t commit. Themes of Dennis to fulfi ll his desire to wear intolerance and injustice are central dresses... which brings enormous to the story. consequences. There is never any indication that Dennis is gay; he just enjoys gender fl uidity.

Winter, Jonah Gertrude Is Gertrude Is Gertrude Is Gertrude (2009) ISBN: 978-1416940883 K-Grade 6 Written in Stein’s playful, repetitive style, this brief biography shows famous authors Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas entertaining famous aartistsrtists in their home in Paris, ddrivingriving in the country, enjoying picnics and writing ((Gertrude)Gertrude) and typing ((Alice).Alice). Use as a possible intrintroductionoduction ttoo mmodernodern art as well aass to sparkspark creative student writing.

7 Junior High (Grades 6-9)

Carter, Timothy Juby, Susan Evil? (2009) Another Kind of Cowboy (2009) ISBN: 978-0738715391 ISBN: 978-1554682607 Grade 7-9 Grade 7-10 Stuart Bradley, a gay teenager When a gay teenager living on living in a conservative Christian Vancouver Island is ﬁ nally able to town in Ontario, dabbles in several ditch Western-style riding and take forbidden activities, and when word up dressage, it’s a dream come true gets out, he and some other teens for him. Getting paired with the face grave danger from the fallen supremely self-absorbed Cleo is part angels that are inciting hatred and of the deal, however, and brings a extremism in the community. whole new set of challenges for Alex.

Hartinger, Brent Levithan, David Geography Club (2004) Boy Meets Boy (2005) ISBN: 978-0060012236 ISBN: 978-0375832994 Grade 7-12 Grade 8-12 A group of gay and lesbian High school sophomore Paul says, teenagers ﬁ nd mutual support “There isn’t really a gay scene or when they form a clandestine a straight scene in our town. They Gay-Straight Alliance school club got all mixed up a while back, which by calling it the “Geography Club.” I think is for the best.” And, as he The novel offers possibilities for observes at the end of the sweet, discussion on changing social romantic story, “It’s a wonderful attitudes towards queer youth as world.” Paul has both gay and well as the issue of integrity vs. straight friends and they all hang popularity. out together.

Huser, Glen Lieberman, Leanne Stitches (2003) Gravity (2008) ISBN: 978-0888995780 ISBN: 978-1554690497 Grade 6-9 Grade 8-10 This dramatic novel, set in an Ellisheva “Ellie” Gold is an Alberta town, tells the story of Travis Orthodox Jewish teen growing and his best friend Chantelle, who up in Toronto. When she falls for ﬁ nd refuge from being different daring, sexy, non-Jewish Lindsay, and bullied through their friendship Ellie must come to terms with her and love of creating puppet theatre. sexuality and her faith. Governor General Award Winner.

8 JUNIOR HIGH (GRADES 6-9)

Lo, Malinda Shraya, Vivek Ash (2010) God Loves Hair (2010) ISBN: 978-0316040105 ISBN: 978-0986551208 Grade 7-12 Grade 7-12 Torn between her emerging love A delightful collection of brief, for the King’s mysterious huntress autobiographical stories by a and the ethereal draw of a fairy gender-confused boy growing up prince, Ash discovers the strength in a South Asian Hindu family in of her own identity in this bisexual Edmonton. retelling of Cinderella. Sobat, Gail Sidonie Peters, Julie Anne Chance to Dance for You (2011) Between Mom and Jo (2008) ISBN: 978-1926531113 ISBN: 978-0316067102 Grade 7-12 Grade 7-10 Ian lives in a suburb where Fourteen-year-old Nick has a great everything’s the same. But Ian is life with his two moms until they different. Openly gay in his bigoted split up and he’s caught in the high school, Ian doesn’t ﬁ t in. middle with no support. But he’s been training in dance. Peters, Julie Anne Soon he’ll be able to leave town Luna (2006) to become a professional. Then he falls in love with Jess, the star ISBN: 978-0316011273 Grade 8-12 quarterback… Regan is ﬁ ercely protective of her Weatherford, Carole brother Liam and his secret desire Becoming Billie Holiday (2008) ttoo bbee LLuna.una. ShShee ffearsears ththeireir ffamily’samily’s ISBN:ISBN: 978-1590785072978-1590785072 reactionreaction,, and she fears that her GradeGrade 7-17-122 brother may someday gigiveve in to Verse format is used to narrate despair. While Regan wonders if the lilifefe ooff Eleanora FaFagan,gan, an she will ever be able ttoo have a life unwanteunwantedd childchild whowho grew up to seseparateparate from the needs of her bbecomeecome a HarlemHarlem jazz legend.legend. TThehe siblinsibling,g, Liam seriously considers a popoemsems draw their titles ffromrom Billie permanent chanchange.ge. HHoliday’soliday’s songs.songs.

9 JUNIOR HIGH (GRADES 6-9)

Wilkinson, Lili Pink (2011) ISBN: 978-0061926532 Grade 8-11 Ava, a bisexual Australian teen, attempts to re-invent herself by switching to a new school, but the results are both tragic and funny.

Wittlinger, Ellen Parrotﬁ sh (2011) ISBN: 978-1442406216 Grade 7-10 In the days between American Thanksgiving and Christmas, Grady comes out as female-to- male transsexual, facing issues of acceptance and rejection at school and at home. Grady deals with his vexing issues of self-identity with courage and grace. An excellent resource for building awareness about, and serving the increasing number of transgender and trassexual teens

10 Senior High (Grades 9-12)

Beam, Cris Cameron, Peter I Am J (2011) Someday This Pain Will ISBN: 978-0316053617 Be Useful to You (2009) Grade 9-12 ISBN: 978-0312428167 J was born Jenifer but has never Grade 10-12 felt female. At 17, J is sure of his A funny and painful account of masculinity, but he is confused James, a gay eighteen-year-old who about what to do next. Readers will lives in New York City with his older learn a lot about transgender teens sister and divorced mother and as J does research online, attends a struggles to fi nd a direction for his support group and gets advice from life the year following 9/11. friends who have transitioned. Cart, Michael (ed.) Block, Francesca Lia How Beautiful the Ordinary (2009) Baby Be-Bop (1995) ISBN: 978-0061154980 ISBN: 978-0064471763 Grade 9-12 Grade 8-12 The tales in this collection Dirk McDonald, a 16-year-old boy in present not only the wide variety Los Angeles, comes to terms with of identities in the LGBTQ being gay after he receives surreal community – lesbian, gay, bisexual, storytelling visitations from his transgender, transsexual, and dead father and great-grandmother. questioning – but also the variety of experiences of being human – love, Burd, Nick regret, betrayal, and discovery. The Vast Fields of Ordinary (2011) ISBN: 978-0142418208 Cruse, Howard Grade 9-12 Stuck Rubber Baby (1995; 2011) The summer after graduating from ISBN: 978-1401227036 an Iowa high school, eighteen- Grade 10-12 year-old Dade ends his long-term, A lyrical tale of a young man caught secret relationship, comes out in the turbulence of the civil rights of the closet, and fi nds fi rst love. movement and the systematic Dade’s new boyfriend is the local homophobia of the American South drug dealer, Alex. Neither Dade nor of the 1960s. The title refers to a Alex can predict the future of their pregnancy that follows a condom relationship, since they both know malfunction. Graphic Novel that Dade plans to leave town for college in September. S

11 SENIOR HIGH (GRADES 9-12)

Diersch, Sandra Fullerton, Alma Out (2009) In the Garage (2006) ISBN: 978-1552774212 ISBN: 978-0889953710 Grade 9-12 Grade 9-12 Alex struggles with his faith when BJ, who is bullied at school, betrays he witnesses a church member her best friend Alex by stealing the cheating on his wife and learns that journal where he’s recorded his his brother is gay. When his brother thoughts about being gay. Calgary is brutally attacked, Alex is forced author Fullerton uses verse format to decide where his loyalties lie and to tell this tragic tale. what he really believes in. Set in Maple Ridge, B.C. HI / LO Francis, Brian Fruit (2004) Doyle, Mayra Lazara ISBN: 978-1550226201 Down to the Bone (2008) Grade 10-12 ISBN: 978-0060843106 Peter Paddington is 13, overweight, Grade 9-11 and the subject of his classmates’ 16-year-old Laura is a Latina lesbian ridicule. When his nipples begin living in Miami. After she is outed at speaking to him one day and school, kicked out of her home, and inform him of their diabolical rejected by her girlfriend, she fi nds plan to expose his secret desires herself and her community. to the world, Peter fi nds himself cornered in a world that seems to Dunnion, Kristyn have no tolerance for difference. Big Big Sky (2008) This hilarious former Canada Reads ISBN: 978-0889954045 contender is set in Sarnia, Ontario. Grade 8-12 A tightly-knit female warrior group Garden, Nancy Annie on My Mind are trained to be aggressive, quick (1982; 2007) thinking, and obedient, but when it ISBN: 978-0374400118 becomes clear that they face being Grade 9-12 deplugged (fi nished, dead) they After a disaster at school, Liza puts make a run for it. Eventually they aside her feelings for Annie, but make it to the outside of the great eventually allows love to triumph mountain where they’ve been raised over the ignorance of other people. and programmed – and here for the School Library Journal: “No single fi rst time they behold the big, big sky work has done more for young adult of the real world. Science fi ction with LGBT fi ction than this classic about effective use of invented language. two teenage girls who fall in love.”

12 SENIOR HIGH (GRADES 9-12)

Garsee, Jeannine Harmon, Michael Say the Word (2011) Last Exit to Normal (2009) ISBN: 978-1599906133 ISBN: 978-0440239949 Grade 9-12 Grade 9-12 The word that Shawna refuses Ben and his two dads move to rural to say is “lesbian.” Her mother Montana where Ben absolutely abandoned her and her father in does not fi t in and fi nds it harder to order to be with her new love, Fran. deal with having two dads than he In the years since, Shawna has did in their previous urban home. barely seen her mother, who has made a life with Fran and two sons. Horner, Emily When her mother dies, Shawna A Love Story Starring My learns that her father has not been Dead Best Friend (2010) truthful with her, and suddenly ISBN: 978-0803734203 making moral decisions becomes Grade 8-12 much more diffi cult. 16-year-old Cass mourns the death of her best friend, Julia, and helps a Goobie, Beth group to mount a musical Julia had Hello, Groin (2006) written. In alternating then and now ISBN: 978-1551434599 chapters, Cass also describes a solo Grade 9-12 bicycle journey she undertook in A realistic look at a lesbian Julia’s memory. Cass learns not to teen coming to terms with her denigrate the value of friendship by sexuality at the same time as she is saying “we were just friends” and embroiled in a censorship issue at she kisses a girl for the fi rst time. her school in Saskatoon. Hurwin, Davida Green, John & David Levithan Freaks and Revelations (2009) Will Grayson, Will Grayson (2011) ISBN: 978-0316049962 ISBN: 978-0142418475 Grade 9-12 Grade 9-12 Tells, in alternating fi ctional voices, When two teens, one gay and one of events leading up to a true 1980s straight, meet accidentally and incident in Los Angeles in which discover that they share the same a fourteen-year-old homeless gay name, their lives become intertwined youth was beaten and left for dead as one begins dating the other’s by a seventeen-year-old skinhead. best friend, who produces a musical The two met again, years later, revealing his relationship with them and now give talks together about both. Told in alternating voices of the overcoming hatred. Pair this with two Will Graysons. The Laramie Project play or fi lm.

13 SENIOR HIGH (GRADES 9-12)

Katcher, Brian Mac, Carrie Almost Perfect (2010) The Beckoners (2007) ISBN: 978-0385736657 ISBN: 978-1551437293 Grade 8-12 Grade 8-12 With his mother working long 15-year-old Zoe is not pleased to be hours and in pain from a romantic moving yet again, this time from break-up, eighteen-year-old Logan Prince George to Abbotsford, BC. feels alone and unloved until a zany Unsure of herself and merely trying new student named Sage arrives to ﬁ t in, Zoe is initiated, painfully, at his small-town Missouri high into the Beckoners, a twisted group school, keeping a big secret. By of girls whose main purpose is to the time Logan learns that Sage is stay on top by whatever means transgender, he is already in love necessary. A chilling portrait of with her. S bullying and violence and the Kaufman, Moises terrible price that can be exacted for The Laramie Project (2001) standing up for what is right. Two of the protagonists are gay teens and ISBN: 978-0375727191 Grade 10-12 Zoe is sorting out her own sexual identity. A stunning, internationally- acclaimed play that attempts to Mac, Carrie ﬁ nd meaning in the 1998 murder Crush (2006) of Matthew Shepard, a gay ISBN: 978-1551435268 college student. The tragedy was Grade 9-12 a watershed event and stimulated During a summer in New York, debates on anti-gay prejudice and Hope falls in love with another girl violence. Members of Kaufman’s and must decide whether or not she theater group travelled to Laramie, is a lesbian. HI / LO Wyoming, and interviewed townspeople, which gives the play’s dialogue a raw authenticity. Many different voices are heard: a policewoman, Matthew’s father, a Catholic priest, a lesbian college professor, Matthew’s killers, a Unitarian minister, a viciously anti-gay protestor, etc.

14 SENIOR HIGH (GRADES 9-12)

St. James, James McDonald, S Freak Show (2008) Confessions of an ISBN: 978-0142412312 Empty Purse (2010) Grade 9-12 ISBN: 978-1897181331 Grade 10-12 Outrageously over-the-top teen drag queen Billy Bloom, a new student Autobiography in verse format of at the very conservative Dwight a Toronto teenager aching for role D. Eisenhower Academy, ﬁ nds models and giddy with the excitement that life is not easy for him among of spotting real, live transsexuals the rich students with their brutal on Parliament Street. The inherent homophobia. tragedy of being fat, pimply, and male while longing to be glamorous, Sanchez, Alex willowy and female is balanced with campy humour. Suicide is considered Rainbow Boys (2003) and averted, with the courage it takes ISBN: 978-0689857706; to accept that some dreams will never Rainbow High (2005) come true. ISBN: 978-0689854781;

Peters, Julie Anne Rainbow Road (2007) grl2grl (2007) ISBN: 978-1416911913; ISBN: 978-0316013437 Grade 9-12 Grade 9-12 A trilogy told in multiple points of The young queer women in this view that follows the overlapping collection of ten short stories are lives of several gay and questioning at different levels of self-discovery, high school seniors as they come searching for satisfying relationships. of age.

Rainﬁ eld, Cheryl Schrag, Ariel Scars (2010) Awkward and Deﬁ nition (2008) ISBN: 978-1934813324 ISBN: 978-1416552314 Grade 9-12 Grade 10-12 Fifteen-year-old Kendra, a lesbian Pen-and ink comics drawn during and budding artist, has not felt Schrag’s early high-school years in safe since she began to recall San Francisco illuminate her journey devastating memories of childhood toward a sexual identity, amid sexual abuse, especially since she concerns about school, sex, drugs cannot remember her abuser’s and rock ‘n’ roll. Graphic Novel identity, and she copes with the pressure by cutting herself.

15 SENIOR HIGH (GRADES 9-12)

Scofi eld, Gregory Stevenson, Robin Kipocihkân: Poems New Big Guy (2008) and Selected (2009) ISBN: 978-1551439105 ISBN: 978-0889712287 Grade 9-12 Grade 11-12 Derek thinks he might be falling Award-winning poet Scofi eld in love for the fi rst time ever. The features work from fi ve earlier problem is, he hasn’t been entirely collections. Some, like “Divided,” honest with his online boyfriend. address the issue of ethnic HI / LO identity for a blue-eyed Métis, while poems from Love Medicine Stevenson, Robin and One Song refl ect tenderness Inferno (2009) toward a male lover. ISBN: 978-1554690770 Grade 8-12 Scofi eld, Gregory Grade 10 at a new school was Thunder Through My Veins (2000) bearable because Dante was ISBN: 978-0006385431 wrapped up in romance with Beth… Grade 10-12 but now Beth has moved away. It Scofi eld’s autobiography describes was a secret affair; nobody is out how he survived a childhood at Dante’s school and she hasn’t marked by loss, poverty and said anything about her sexuality to violence and did not learn to accept her parents, either. Somebody new himself and his gay identity until he has caught Dante’s eye, however. accepted his Métis heritage. Parker has sled-dog blue eyes and no eyebrows. She quit school but Selvadurai, Shyam comes by to pass out fl yers. “WOOF, Swimming In the WOOF. YOU ARE NOT A DOG. WHY Monsoon Sea (2007) ARE YOU GOING TO OBEDIENCE ISBN: 978-0887768347 SCHOOL?” When Dante joins Grade 8-12 Parker’s small circle of activists, she 14-year-old Amrith fi nds his life was hoping to escape from the hell in Sri Lanka turned upside down of school. But is she jumping into when his Canadian cousin visits and the fl ames instead? Amrith falls in love with him.

16 SENIOR HIGH (GRADES 9-12)

Tamaki, Mariko & Whatling, Michael Jillian Tamaki A Vigil for Joe Rose (2009) Skim (2010) ISBN: 978-1440178559 ISBN: 978-0888999641 Grade 9-12 Grade 9-12 A collection of eight short stories Would-be Wiccan and goth Skim, and a novella about the experience aka Kimberly Keiko Cameron, is of being out in high school in revealed as a sometimes target for Montreal. They chart the journey the popular students at her all-girls of the main characters from fi rst private school in Toronto, where she coming out to their growth into falls in love with her English teacher confi dent young gay men, and the Ms. Archer. Graphic Novel challenges, triumphs, and losses along the way. Weir, Johnny Welcome to My World (2011) Winter, Kathleen ISBN: 978-1451610284 Annabel (2011) [NOTE: new paperback ed. ISBN: 978-0887842900 due out Sept. 2011] Grade 10-12 Grade 9-12 In a small Labrador community in Autobiography of Olympic athlete 1968, an unusual baby is born at Johnny Weir, who received his home with a very small penis, a fi rst pair of new skates when he testicle on one side and a vagina was eleven. After only two hours on the other - a hermaphrodite. This of lessons, he astonished his is the story of his life; his, because instructor by taking off on his own his father decides that he will have and landing an axel jump. Weir a son called Wayne. Thomasina, a went on to win the US National ffriendriend whwhoo was there ttoo assist at Championship three years in a hhisis birthbirth,, calls him AnnabelAnnabel,, aafterfter row. At the Olympics in Vancouver hherer dead daudaughter.ghter. Wayne’s mother in 2010, he was at the centre of a aalwayslways regretsregrets that surgerysurgery was media storm after two Quebecois iimposedmposed upon her child, wishinwishingg it broadcasters said that he needed wwasas popossiblessible to raise the child as a gender test because they didn’t neither male nor femalefemale,, or bothboth.. know if he was a man or a woman. Proud of his individuality, Weir spoke out confi dently in support of all the “weirdos” of the world.

17 SENIOR HIGH (GRADES 9-12)

Wittlinger, Ellen Hard Love (2001) ISBN: 978-0689841545 Grade 8-12 16-year-old John deals with his broken family life by writing a zine and falls in love with another writer, Marisol, who is a lesbian.

Wittlinger, Ellen Love & Lies (2009) ISBN: 978-1416979142 Grade 10-12 Marisol’s story picks up four months after Hard Love ended, but it can be enjoyed independently of the ﬁ rst book. Her roommate Birdie is a gay guy who brings home strays of all sorts, including a new boyfriend, Damon. Marisol plans to ﬁ nd herself a girlfriend – easier said than done, especially when the one Marisol wants is not the girl who falls in love with her.

18 Nonﬁ ction Resources for Students and Teachers

Alsenas, Linus Bornstein, Kate & Gay America: S. Bear Bergman. Editors Struggle for Equality (2008) Gender Outlaws: ISBN: 978-0810994874 The Next Generation (2010) Grade 7-12 ISBN: 978-1580053082 A well-illustrated and engaging Grade 10-12 history of gay and lesbian life in the This collection of stories and United States, with a focus on the dialogues provides a new way of twentieth century. thinking about gender, politics, and transgender identities. Beam, Cris Transparent: Love, Family, Brill, Stephanie & Rachel Pepper and Living the T with The Transgender Child: A Handbook Transgender Teenagers (2007) for Families and Professionals (2008) ISBN: 978-0151011964 ISBN: 978-1573443180 Grade 10-12 Professional A compelling memoir describing A fi rst-of-its-kind guidebook that how a volunteer stint at an explores the experiences of families alternative school for queer youth in raising transgender and gender Los Angeles resulted in the author non-conforming children. The forming meaningful relationships authors, who are experts in the with several of the transgendered fi eld, cover a wide variety of topics students. ranging from birth to university, including “what is gender?” and Bornstein, Kate how to advocate for gender-variant Hello Cruel World: 101 Alternatives children in elementary school. to Suicide for Teens, Freaks anandd OOtherther OOutlawsutlaws (2(2006)006) ISBN:ISBN: 978-1583227206 GradeGrade 7-127-12 A selself-helpf-help book that remains fi ercely positive and supportive while acknowledging the didiffiffi culties marginalizedmarginalized youth faceface..

19 NONFICTION RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

Canadian Teachers’ Federation Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Trans-Indentiﬁ ed, and Two-Spirited (BGLTT) (series; 2002-2007) Professional

This series is designed to assist teachers, school administrators, and counsellors in understanding the educational, health and safety needs of those students and staff who are or are perceived as being BGLTT. All books are available in French and English:

Canadian Teachers’ Federation Wells, Kristopher and Elementary Teachers’ Gay-Straight Student Alliance Federation of Ontario Handbook: A Comprehensive Seeing the Rainbow: Teachers Resource for Canadian K-12 Talk About Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Teachers, Administrators, and Transgender, and Two-Spirited School Counsellors (2006) Realities (2002) ISBN: 0-88989355-1 ISBN: 0-88989338-1 Schrader, Alvin and Canadian Teachers’ Federation Kristopher Wells Lessons Learned: A Collection of Challenging Silence, Challenging Stories and Articles About Bisexual, Censorship: Inclusive Resources, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Strategies, and Policy Directives for Issues (2005) Addressing Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, ISBN: 0-88989348-9 Trans-Identiﬁ ed, and Two-Spirited Realities in School and Public Libraries (2007) ISBN: 0-8898360-8

Fakhrid-Deen, Tina, with COLAGE Let’s Get This Straight: The Ultimate Handbook for Youth with LGBTQ Parents (2010) ISBN: 978-1580053334 Grade 5-12 A guide to help children and teens learn to combat homophobia, develop a sense of belonging and heal the shame that can result when your family is “different.”

20 NONFICTION RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

The Gallup’s Guide to Modern Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Lifestyle (series; 2009-2011) Grade 7-12

While today’s teens see homosexuality as a fact of their everyday lives, discrimination, bullying and rejection are still very real. This series presents a look at positive role models and supportive communities. It confronts the issues without bias, offering young adults the necessary facts to build understanding.

Palmer, Bill Seba, Jaime A A New Generation of Gay People of Color: Facing Homosexuality: Modern Trends in Prejudices, Forging Identities Gay & Lesbian Communities ISBN: 978-1422218778 ISBN: 978-1422218730 Seba, Jaime A Seba, Jaime A Gays and Mental Health: Fighting Being Gay, Staying Healthy Depression, Saying No to Suicide ISBN: 978-1422218648 ISBN: 978-1422218709 Seba, Jaime A Hunt, Jaime Coming Out: Telling Family Homophobia: From Social Stigma to and Friends Hate Crimes ISBN: 978-1422218655 ISBN: 978-1422218716 Seba, Jaime A Seba, Jaime A Feeling Wrong in Your Own Body: Homosexuality Around the World: Understanding What It Means to Be Safe Havens, Cultural Challenges Transgender ISBN: 978-1422218723 ISBN: 978-1422218662 Seba, Jaime A Seba, Jaime A Smashing the Stereotypes: What Gay and Lesbian Role Models Does It Mean to Be Gay, Lesbian, ISBN: 978-1422218679 Bisexual, or Transgender? ISBN: 978-1422218747 Sanna, Emily Gay Believers: Homosexuality and Chastain, Zachary Religion Statistical Timeline and Overview of ISBN: 978-1422218686 Gay Life ISBN: 978-142221875 Seba, Jaime A Gay Characters in Theater, Movies, Palmer, Bill and Television: New Roles, New What Causes Sexual Orientation? Attitudes Genetics, Biology, Psychology ISBN: 978-1422220139 ISBN: 978-1422218761

21 NONFICTION RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

Jennings, Kevin. Editor Haskell, Rebecca One Teacher in 10 2nd ed. (2005) & Brian Burtch ISBN: 978-0739452738 Get that Freak: Homophobia and Professional Transphobia in High Schools (2010) ISBN: 978-1552663783 Forty LGBTQ educators describe what Professional it is like to teach in today’s classrooms. The stories of hope, struggle, and The authors explore the experiences emergence shared in this collection of 16 youth from British Columbia are profoundly inspiring. as they negotiate the homophobic and transphobic terrain of high Killoran, Isabel & Karleen school. This book examines the Pendleton Jiménez. Editors motivations of bullying, taunting, “Unleashing the Unpopular”: Talking and homophobic language and About Sexual Orientation and provides ways in which teachers Gender Diversity in Education (2007) and administrators can create safer ISBN: 978-0871731715 Professional schools for sexual and gender A unique teacher education minority youth and their allies. resource that strives to improve Huegel, Kelly understanding of issues related to GLBTQ: The Survival Guide for sexual orientation, gender diversity, Queer & Questioning Teens and education, and how they 2nd ed. (2011) impact students, teachers, schools, ISBN: 978-1575423630 and the community. A powerful and Grade 7-12 poignant collection of personal and professional narratives. Addresses the concerns and questions LGBTQ youth face every Marcus, Eric day, including coming out, dating What If Someone I and religion. Each chapter contains Know Is Gay? (2007) sidebar quotes from queer teens ISBN: 978-1416949701 and descriptions of appropriate Grade 7-10 resources such as books, Updated edition of a candid organizations and Web sites. resource that answers real questions from teens on all aspects of homosexuality. Myths and negative stereotypes are pushed aside and students are helped to understand what being gay is really all about.

22 NONFICTION RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

Available for free download in McNinch, James & French and English. Mary Cronin. Editors I Could Not Speak My Heart: Public Health Agency Education and Social Justice for of Canada Gay and Lesbian Youth (2004) Questions & Answers: Sexual ISBN: 978-0889771789 Professional Orientation in Schools (2010) ISBN: 978-1100151229 A western Canadian anthology Professional documenting the struggle for equity and social justice for LGBTQ youth, This easy-to-read Q&A format teachers, and families in public provides the latest scientiﬁ c schools. A diverse collection of research to help inform and authors, identities, and issues. An support teachers, administrators, excellent resource for pre-service parents, and policy makers to take and professional development. positive action on issues related to sexual orientation in K-12 schools. Meyer, Elizabeth Available for free download in Gender and Sexual Diversity in French and English. Schools: An Introduction (2010) ISBN: 978-9400704879 Sears, James. Editor Professional Journal of LGBT Youth: An International Quarterly An easy-to-read introduction Devoted to Research, Policy, to gender and sexual diversity Theory, and Practice in schools. This text provides deﬁ nitions, background history, www.tandf.co.uk/journals/ research evidence, and concrete titles/19361653.asp strategies to identify and address homophobia, heterosexism, and An interdisciplinary forum transphobia in schools. dedicated to improving the quality of life for lesbian, gay, bisexual, Public Health Agency transgender, and questioning of Canada youth. This quarterly journal Questions & Answers: Gender presents peer-reviewed scholarly Identity in Schools (2010) articles, practitioner-based essays, ISBN: 978-1100151205 Professional policy analyses, and revealing Written in an informative Q&A narratives from young people. style, this guide provides evidence- The wide-ranging topics include informed information for teachers, formal and non-formal education; administrators, school trustees, family; peer culture; the media, and sexual health educators to arts, and entertainment industry; help them understand and support religious institutions and youth transgender and gender non- organizations; health care; and the conforming youth in K-12 schools. workplace.

23 Documentary and Nonﬁ ction DVDs

Breaking the Silence: LGBQT Youth Apples and Oranges (2003) Tell Their Stories (2006) National National Film Board; 17 min. Center for Lesbian Rights; Grade 4-8 Grade 9-12 Two animated short fi lms addressing Ten former foster youth tell of their homophobia are paired with an experiences as queer youth in the elementary school classroom American foster care system. They discussion of bullying and describe their experiences – some stereotyping. The fi lm challenges positive, some heartbreakingly negative stereotypes about gays negative – and offer suggestions for and lesbians and shows the children change. Free to order. Comes with coming up with more positive views. discussion guide. PDF teaching guide also available. …But Words DO Hurt: Stories from Beyond Hatred GLBTT Youth (2005). Alberta Civil (French with subtitles) (2005) Liberties Research Centre; 30 min. First Run Features; 85 min. Grade 10-12 Grade 10-12 GLBTT youth from Alberta talk François Chenu was murdered by about their identities, coming skinheads in a violent hate crime in out, family, the media, and their Rheims, France. The fi lm explores the experiences in school and their aftermath of his murder and the roots dreams and hopes for the future. of hate and homophobia. Chenu’s Professionals from a wide-variety of family speaks openly about their backgrounds (police offi cers, social struggle to make sense of the loss. workers, lawyers, and teachers) Brandon Teena Story (1998) also discuss why it is important to New Video Group; 88 min. address GLBTT issues in schools. Grade 10-12 Comes with study guide. An award-winning documentary Fagbug (2010) exploring the life of Brandon Teena, Garden Thieves Pictures; 83 min. a young woman who wanted to Grade 7-12 desperately be a man. This riveting When Erin Davies’ car is spray-painted and, at times, horrifying narrative, with homophobic slurs, she takes it utilizes news footage and interviews on a cross-country awareness-raising with Brandon’s friends, family, tour. The fi lm documents the journey and former girlfriends to explore with footage of the drive, interviews Brandon’s life and tragic death. with the families of hate crimes Academy Award-winning Boys victims, and interviews with people Don’t Cry was based on this. both supportive and unsupportive of Erin’s project. 24 DOCUMENTARY AND NONFICTION DVDS

For the Bible Tells Me So (2007) Girl Inside (2007) First Run Features; 98 min. Women Make Movies; 70 min. Grade 9-12 Grade 10-12 A multiple-award winning documentary, which follows the A documentary that follows lives of ﬁ ve “very normal, very Madison, a 26-year-old trans woman Christian, very American” families during her three-year transition who positively address the process. Strong focus on family and revelation of having a gay child. relationships.

Further Off the Straight In My Shoes: Youth with and Narrow (2006) LGBT Parents (2005) Media Ed. Foundation; 61 min. Frameline; 31 min. Grade 9-12 Grade 7-12 Reviewing the presence of LGBTQ Though not the fi rst fi lm to characters and personas, this fi lm showcase the voices of children, explores the development and expan- In My Shoes is a youth-produced sion of representations of queerness documentary about LGBT on television. The impact of com- parents. Five youth speak about mercial interests is discussed, as are their experiences, as well as gay the possibilities LGBTQ characters on marriage, social change, and family. television create for queer youth. In Other Words (2001) Gay Youth (2006) National Film Board; 27 min. New Day Films; 30 min. Grade 6-12 Grade 7-12 Looking at how language sculpts The stories of LGBTQ youth are attitude, the fi lm collects accounts presented in the context of how from LGBTQ teens. It explores schools, families, and community various facets of language, formal groups can support and accept and informal, and the prevalence them. Looking at both tragic and of homophobic language across inspirational examples of gay media. Includes ideas about how to youth navigating the tumultuous move beyond negative language. teen years, the fi lm is both frank and informative. PDF study guide available.

25 DOCUMENTARY AND NONFICTION DVDS

Is It a Boy or a Girl? (2001) Laramie Inside Out (2005) VSB Consultant; 53 min. New Day Films; 56 min. Grade 10-12 Grade 10-12 A Discovery Channel production, The fi lmmaker Bev Seckinger returns this short fi lm explores gender from to her hometown, Laramie, to the perspective of intersexuals. investigate the impact of Matthew Individuals whose sex at birth is Shepard’s murder on the community. neither traditionally understood She speaks to a cross-section of as male nor female, or may have community members as well as mixed sexual characteristics. the fanatical Rev. Fred Phelps of Through interviews with parents, Westboro Baptist Church. Can be intersexed people, and medical used in conjunction with The Laramie professionals the fi lm outlines Project to stimulate discussion on the daily realities and struggles homophobia and hate crimes. intersexuals experience. Let’s Get Real (2003) It’s Still Elementary: Talking About Groundspark; 35 min. Gay Issues in Schools (2007) Grade 6-9 Groundspark; 47 min. An exploration of the various K-Grade 8 differences that are targeted with Examines the powerful impact of bullying behaviour. Simultaneously the original fi lm “It’s Elementary”, heartbreaking and heartwarming, ensuing backlash and protests, and the fi lm effectively presents multiple explores the possibilities of igniting perspectives: those of the bullies, positive social change through the bullied, and the students who grassroots community organizing. try to help. This collection also includes the original “It’s Elementary” training Little Sister’s vs. Big Brother video (37 min) and full-length (2002) National Film Board; 71 min. feature (78 min), along with a 136- Grade 10-12 page curriculum/resource guide. This documentary covers the details This collection presents an honest of the case of Little Sister’s bookshop and critical refl ection on challenging in Vancouver being censored by the censorship of dialogue about Canada Customs. LGBTQ materials homosexuality as teachers open destined for the shop were their classrooms to cameras. In seized at the border, described as doing so, teachers model age- pornographic. A historical fi fteen- appropriate ways of discussing year struggle in the Canadian LGBTQ family diversity, name-calling, community’s quest for equal rights stereotyping, and challenging and freedom of speech. homophobia. 26 DOCUMENTARY AND NONFICTION DVDS

No Dumb Questions (2001). Out in the Silence: Love, Hate, Epiphany Productions; 24 min. and a Quest for Change in Small Grades 7-12. Town America (2009) Garden Thieves Pictures; 56 min. A poignant and award-winning Grade 9-12 documentary, which profi les three sisters, ages 6, 9 and 11, struggling A fi lmmaker returns to his roots to understand why and how their when, after announcing his Uncle Bill is becoming a woman. A upcoming marriage to a man, he is unique and powerful tool for contacted by the mother of a gay opening minds and sparking dialog teen being agonizingly bullied in the in schools, colleges, workplaces, town where he grew up. Joe Wilson faith communities, and families. and his partner, Dean Hamer, Also includes a discussion guide return to the town and document and best practice examples to use conversations with religious, the fi lm to inspire change. political, and educational leaders all in effort to increase tolerance and One of Them (2000) respect for diversity. National Film Board; 25 min. Grade 7-12 Pursuit of Equality (2007) Prerogatives; 80 min. In a dramatization that focuses Grade 10-12 on homophobia, Jamie realizes that her friend Carla is the victim On the steps of San Francisco City of homophobic bullying. The fi lm Hall, Callan and Shaw capture the examines social responses to fi rst same-sex marriage in the United both Carla and Jamie. NFB offers States. They follow the story through a teacher guide for classroom courtrooms and on the streets as didiscussionscussion ooff ththee fi lmlm.. thethe hihistoricstoric fi ghtght fforor equaequall marrmarriageiage rights unfoldsunfolds across the nation.

27 DOCUMENTARY AND NONFICTION DVDS

Red Without Blue (2007) Sticks and Stones (2001) Cinema Libre Studio; 77 min. National Film Board; 17 min. Grade 10-12 K-Grade 6 Mark and Alex are identical twins Young children describe the who come out in their teens. Alex experience of being teased or then comes out as trans. The fi lm bullied about their same-sex follows their relationship with each parents. The children articulate other and with their parents through what they think should be done Alex’s transitioning. Gender, to prevent bullying and to foster identity, and the bonds of twinship respect for family diversity. are all re-imagined in this beautiful fi lm about family, love, and self. Straightlaced: How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up (2008) Rough Cuts: New Day Films; 67 min. Class Queers (2003) Grade 10-12 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation; 39 min. Interviews with more than fi fty Grade 10-12 teens are woven together in this examination of how gender and The Triangle Program, Canada’s sexual orientation play out in the only high school program for gay, social lives of high school students. lesbian, bisexual, and trans youth, The teens provide candid accounts is what connects the three queer of how they work with and against students followed in this short media, stereotypes, and social fi lm. Their daily lives and struggles pressures to establish their own are documented, from family life identities. to school and their intersections. Includes a discussion guide. That’s a Family (2000) Groundspark; 35 min. She’s a Boy I Knew (2007) K-Grade 6 Media Education Foundation; 70 min. Children take viewers through their Grade 10-12 family lives, illustrating the diversity in their families: parents of different Filmmaker Gwen Haworth race, religion, sexual orientation, documents her own biological marital status. With grace and transition from male to female. Her sincerity as well as humour, the family relationships take centre children narrate their individual stage as she presents us with her experiences. A great starting point very personal account of coming for discussing the different faces out. Elements of humour about and shapes of families. gender roles punctuate a very raw, emotional narrative. 28 Feature Films

Breakfast with Scot (2007) C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005) Mongrel Media; 95 min. TVA Films; 129 min. Grade 10-12 Grade 10-12 A delightful Canadian comedy Zachery, who was born on about Eric, a gay retired hockey Christmas day, always knew there player who lives with his partner was something different about Sam, a sports lawyer. When Sam himself. As he grows up in a family unexpectedly becomes the guardian of four brothers, he undertakes a of his brother’s son, Scot, the journey of self-discovery, which couple’s lives are turned up side leads him to fi nally accept his true down. Breakfast with Scot was identity. Sharp humour, with a the fi rst LGBTQ-themed fi lm to new take on a classic coming-to- ever receive endorsement from a terms narrative and complex family professional sports team. dynamics.

Brokeback Mountain (2006) The Hanging Garden (1997) Universal Studios Home MGM Home Entertainment; 91 min. Entertainment; 135 min. Grade 10-12 Grade 9-12 A sensitive and wry take on A multiple Academy Award- dysfunction and family in which the winning movie that tells the tale of overweight, lonely, awkward teenage two men in love over the course hero returns home after 10 years, as a of their lifelong relationship. slim, self-possessed gay man. An emotionally complex and beautiful ﬁ lm, which explores The Laramie Project (2002) critical concepts of homophobia, HBO Home Video; 96 min. heterosexism, and the devastating Grade 10-12 impacts of societal prejudice. Based on the play by Moises Kaufman, The Laramie Project dramatizes the events surrounding and leading up to Matthew Shepard’s murder. Winner of multiple prestigious awards, the ﬁ lm pairs well with Laramie Inside Out as a starting point for discussion of homophobia and hate crimes.

29 FEATURE FILMS

Ma Vie en Rose (1997) TransAmerica (2006) Columbia TriStar Home Video; Genius Products; 104 min. 88 min. Grade 10-12 Grade 10-12 A funny and heartbreaking story A ﬁ ctional, inspirational account of of Bree, born as Stanley, a genetic a 7-year-old boy who is convinced male, who embarks on a gender she was meant to be a girl. transition process as she reunites with her long-lost 17-year-old son. Milk (2008) Their physical and emotional Universal Studios Home journey together across America Entertainment; 129 min. gives them both the courage Grade 8-12 to challenge and change their An Academy Award-winning individual lives and relationship. biopic dedicated to the memory Were the World Mine: A Musical of San Francisco activist and City Dream Come True (2008) Supervisor Harvey Milk, who was Wolfe Video; 95 min. an early champion of gay rights in Grade 9-12 the United States. With a high school production ...Prayers for Bobby (2009) of A Midsumer’s Night Dream New Video; 91 min. as a backdrop, Timothy concocts Grade 9-12 a magical potion to force Based on a true story, Prayers for his conservative hometown Bobby follows Mary, mother of gay to experience love from his son Bobby, as she contends with perspective. A musical fantasy full his coming out and subsequent of fun and delight ensues. suicide. She rejects him in life after failing to “heal” him with religion. Following his death, Mary moves beyond fundamentalist religious doctrine, eventually joining the LGBTQ community in the ﬁ ght for human rights.

This list has been compiled by Dr. Kristopher Wells (Edmonton Public Schools), Lindy Pratch (Edmonton Public Library), and Kim Bewick (Edmonton Public Library). Please email your comments or suggestions to: [email protected].

30 NOTES

31 Contact

Rosalind Smith or Dr. Kristopher Wells Edmonton Public Schools P 780.429.8120 www.epsb.ca 11-10595