| Abstract |
When Massachusetts enacted an anti- discrimination law establishing the rights of gay and lesbian high school students, the citizens of Westhampton were embroiled in controversy. Parents, students, school committee members and local citizens were polarized. Those opposed to the new law questioned the morality of the issue and feared the consequences of introducing a "gay curriculum" in school. Supporters of this law worried about escalating drop-out and suicide rates if gay and lesbian students were not more fully accepted.The film gives voice to the gay and lesbian students who talk about their struggle for acceptance. It also allows us to hear articulate and passionate testimony from all sides of the controversy, both in interviews and community meetings. Surprisingly, in this small town environment, the diversity of opinion rivals that of any metropolis. Among the issues raised are parents versus governments in determining the education of minors; community values versus the rights of the individual; nature versus nurture in determining sexual orientation.Looking for Common Ground is a portrait of a community coming to terms with one of the more divisive issues of our time, in a well balanced, intelligent presentation. |
