Educational Media Reviews Online

Originally broadcast as a Nightline segment, this program focuses on Michael Shackelford a gay teenager in Oklahoma and reactions of his family, friends, church and community as he tries to deal with his sexuality in the very religious local community. Anxiety and tensions in the community are heightened when an article about Michael, his family and community appears in the Washington Post. With such notoriety an outside anti-gay organization decides to picket Michael’s church and community. In a seemingly odd about face, the church and community rally around Michael in support of him and his family and church. His sexuality becomes secondary to his being a member of a very close-knit community. Details of the story are clearly communicated, and viewers will readily identify with some perspectives that they share. However, the enormously complex social issues such as the conflict of religious condemnation verses a religious family’s love for their son/brother are not explored.