Educational Media Reviews Online

Out in the Heartland is a "fair and balanced" response to Kentucky's 2004 Constitutional Amendment vote banning same-sex marriage, civil unions, or even domestic partnerships. Through interviews with gay and lesbian parents and their children, the true affects of discrimination and ignorance are explored. Kentucky is a traditional red state, and these are low-key members of a community who just want to be accepted. The parents of one of the male partners accept their son's lifestyle and adopted son, but also belong to a large, rural super-church. Their Southeast Christian Church donated $150,000 to the One Man, One Woman campaign. They support both their son's family and the church's right to oppose. Their son sees it as the old "Hate the sin, love the sinner" defense. The women partners express their desire to stay in Kentucky even though they had considered moving to a more liberal "Blue" state. Their reasons for wanting to stay in Kentucky are the same as heterosexual parents: it is a great place to raise a family -- any family. Though most of the same-sex families feel support and tolerance from their neighbors, they are surprised that the amendment passes with a 75% majority. Their only explanation is that they do not realize what the vote means and how badly it hurts them. A more ominous result of the success of the amendment is another, which will propose banning same-sex couples from adopting in Kentucky. It is an ironic twist considering the couples cannot legally prove their commitment because of the previous amendment. Though Out in the Heartland will not change many minds, it may open a few. Recommended for all libraries.