Allies hosts documentary showing, panel discussion

By Alec Jennings
University News Service
October 22, 2008

The film, "For the Bible Tells Me So" explores the experiences faced by families of faith with homosexual family members. The film follows the experiences of five Christian, American families including former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson and the challenges they have faced.

"We hope that some people will watch the film and find comfort in learning that they are not alone. Many people have struggled with making sense of what they have grown up believing and how that intersects with their current beliefs" said Kelly Stone, coordinator for the event. "Others may learn about phrases used from the bible to condemn homosexuality and how the true context and meanings of those phrases have been misread or misinterpreted."

The film is the winner of several awards including the audience award for best documentary at the Seattle Film Festival and the Kathleen Bryan Edwards Award for Human Rights at the 2007 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. The viewing at Texas State is intended to provide in-depth discussion into topics that don't often get discussed in settings where time is limited.

"In every Allies training, participants ask about spirituality and sexuality. This is an issue that takes lengthy discussion, and we don't have time in a four hour training to cover any one topic in great depth," said Stone. "We decided that through our continuing education biennial program, this might be a way to pursue a more meaningful discussion on the topic. The film is an award winning documentary that will create a great introduction to our panel discussion."

The film topic will coincide with the Alliance biennial meeting at noon, Oct. 30 in the LBJ Student Center room 3-15.1. The meeting will be comprised of a panel discussion including three local religious leaders. They will discuss the complexities of the topic of sexuality and faith.

The showing of "For the Bible Tells Me So" is free and open to the public.

Seating for the Alliance biennial meeting is limited and will be open to Texas State students, teachers and faculty.  RSVP is requested for the biennial through the Allies website at http://www.txstate.edu/allies/.

Church Leaders who will be participating in the panel discussion at the annual meeting include Pastor Jaime Bouzard, Christ Chapel Campus Ministries; Rev. Bill Young, assistant pastor, MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks; and Rev. Aaron S. White, Minister, San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.