Educational Media Reviews Online

As part of the context for discussion of increasing gay rights in America, many references are made to the social models of European countries where gay rights are protected and gay marriage approved. This video would have us question the reality of those models and was produced with an underlying theme of a continued need for an aggressive political agenda to advance gay rights. Filmed in a number of European countries we hear the stories of gay/lesbian individuals who lives have been negatively impacted by the cultures in which they live despite the fact that their countries supposedly support gay rights. In England the partner of a gay man is refused asylum despite the fact that his native country’s stand on gays poses physical threats to his safety. In the Netherlands, the verbal and physical assault of gay Arab men by gangs of youth. Some scenes are particularly distressing; in Poland gay rights participants are pelted with eggs and told that they should be put in the nearby ovens at Auschwitz. In Geneva, gay activists who are there to support the inclusion of gays in the United Nations statement on human rights obtain official documents in which the representative of the Vatican colludes with radical fundamentalist countries to preclude any gay issues to come to the floor for discussion. Despite the clear efforts of the video to promote a political agenda, one would have to question the humanity of any government that willing supports the humiliation, physical abuse and imprisonment of it residents. The video does contain a number of positive moments for gay activists – a welcome aspect considering the general tone of the content. Some of the cinematography is intentionally primitive but effective. English subtitles are utilized in a number of segments. Recommended.