Educational Media Reviews Online

Gay Youth opens with 3 teen testimonials in short revolving segments relating experiences with family, peers and the religious community. The title is somewhat misleading as lesbians are also included. The experiences related by these teens include being kicked out of their homes and becoming homeless, cutting, suicide attempts and admission of alcohol use. The middle of the video is a documentary of the life, including poignant diary readings, of a gay teen from a very religious family, Bobby Griffith, who committed suicide at the age of 20. This segment includes childhood photographs of the boy, commentary by his mothers and really focuses on the family’s involvement. The third segment focuses on 16 year old Gina Gutierrez who won the Bobby Griffith award and includes a classroom discussion about homosexuality, as well as her conversing with family and friends with a focus on the senior prom and graduation and what it means to be a lesbian at those activities. This segment, though including family discussion focuses primarily on school and how she is treated by her peers. The word “dyke” is used frequently in this segment.

The technical quality is moderately detrimental to the message as some of the older snapshots utilized are grainy and not of superior quality. Much of the footage appeared to have been shot some years ago, which will reduce its effectiveness with today’s teens. There were some tracking problems about 20 minutes into the program. The audio quality was good; voices were easily heard and understandable. The occasional piano music in the background was effective. A pamphlet with teaching suggestions and questions to use before and after viewing the program are included as well as resources for the educator and for young people. An essay by Andrew J. Humm, director of Education at the Hetrick-Martin institute in New York entitled “Homosexuality: The New Frontier in Sexuality Education” reprinted from Family Life Educator, volume ten, number three, spring 1992 is also incorporated.

As the pamphlet states: “Gay Youth should not be shown in a casual or unplanned manner.” With that said, this video would be useful in a classroom environment as part of a larger unit; recommended with reservations.

Awards

• Silver Apple, National Educational Media Network
• CINE Golden Eagle
• Blue Ribbon , American Film-Video Festival
• Silver Award, Philadelphia Film Festival