Test event 1 – English

Impact

For many people, coming out as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT) can be a difficult and emotional process. Societal pressures and expectations make it difficult for many people to come out of the closet. For teenagers and young adults, coming out to their parents is one of the hardest parts of coming out. After coming out however, many people feel a huge sense of relief and a sense that a great burden has been lifted off their shoulders: they are now free to be themselves. For many parents however, it is not easy to accept or understand that their child is LGBT. In celebration of June Pride month, the Beijing American Center is proud to present two films that talk about the coming out process and its impact on families: Lead with Love and Mama Rainbow.

About Lead with Love

Released in 2010, Lead with Love is a film produced by a research team from the University of Utah reaches out to parents of LGBT teenagers who may struggle with their child’s sexual orientation. In addition to interviewing parents with LGBT children, the film also provides a clear way to help families provide support and acceptance to their LGBT children: LEAD: Let your affection show; Express pain away from your child; Avoid rejecting behaviors; and Do good before you feel good.
For more details about Lead with Love, please go to [url].

About Mama Rainbow

In Mama Rainbow, filmmaker Fan Popo follows the lives of six mothers who live all across China, hearing them talk about their experiences coming to terms with having LGBT children. Although many LGBT Chinese people are unwilling to come out to their parents, Mama Rainbow shows that there are Chinese families that support their LGBT children, and are giving a whole new definition to Chinese-style family bonds.
For more details about Mama Rainbow, please go to [url]

Extra info

This program will be in English; Lead with Love is in English, Mama Rainbow is in Chinese. There will be a short Q&A in English and Chinese after the movie.