This is a film about homophobia, bullying and school violence narrated by Lily Tomlin. This is from Kat Kramer’s Films that Change the World.
The world premiere of “Teach Your Children Well” was held at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood. Thus is a film about homophobia, bullying and school violence narrated by Lily Tomlinfrom Kat Kramer’s Films that Change the World.
Bullying has become a national conversation topic after teenage suicides. The documentary “Teach Your Children Well” raised the bar adding homophobia and school violence, held it’s world premiere at the Sunset Gower Studios in Holllywood.
Every school day thousands of young people who identify as either lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans-gender face harassment, bullying, and even violence for simply being who they are. Teach Your Children Well is a documentary short (39 min) narrated by Emmy Award winning actress and comedienne, Lily Tomlin. The film explores the often tragic effects of homophobia, bullying, and school violence against L-G-B-T young people. It tells its story through interviews with parents, teachers, students, and professionals from various gay and lesbian service organizations.
With the recent media emphasis on bullying, and in particular the suicides resulting from bullying, the film is very timely. It includes an on-camera recounting of the recent suicide of 13 year old Seth Walsh, by his mother, Wendy Walsh. Seth was one of the four teen suicides who made national headlines in September, 2010.
The film’s primary goal is to bring homophobia and its harmful repercussions to light, and to hopefully effect a change in society’s consciousness such that the bullying and violence against our L-G-B-T young people is greatly reduced – and ultimately eliminated. It is our intention that the message of this film expands beyond theaters and film festivals, reaching into the areas where these aggressive behaviors take place: our schools, homes and neighborhoods.
Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” It is up to each of us to be that change. And you can also be part of that change by supporting this film project with your tax deductible donation via our fiscal sponsor, The International Documentary Association (see below).
A bus load of celebrities and VIPs rounded the corner of the studio lot stopping near the red carpet. Exiting the bus, they stopped long enough to drive home the point.
Lily Tomlin led the cheer with Kat Kramer “Ladies and gentlemen and students too. Well here’s a little cheer we’re going to do for you. Be a buddy, not a bully. Bully no. Buddy yes.” Los Angeles Laker purple and gold pom poms shook. “Bully no. Buddy yes! Bully no. Buddy yes!”
A recent episode of Modern Family thought part of the challenges with Lily’s behavior by her fathers might be due to bullying. Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Garrett Backstrom, Bella Thorne, Romi Dames, Vincent De Paul,
