Documentary Tackles Homophobia, Gender Identity

Debra Chasnoff was wrapping up production of a documentary about homophobia and gender identity in early 2008 when Lawrence King, an eighth grade boy in Oxnard, Calif., was killed for dressing effeminately and telling another boy he had a crush on him.

It was exactly the kind of tragedy Chasnoff aims to prevent through her feature-length film "Straightlaced – How Gender Got Us All Tied Up," which the San Ramon Valley Education Association will screen Monday night at .

The movie's message – that today's youth feel pressured to conform to traditional gender roles – is one that hits close to home for San Ramon Valley schools.

Earlier this year when the San Ramon Valley Unified School District updated its anti-harassment policies, .

Weeks before that, .

"The reason that SRVEA is sponsoring the showing of this documentary 'Straightlaced' is we hope to provide a springboard for both teens and adults to explore crucial safety, identity and equity issues and for helping to build a more inclusive community that empowers schools to be a safe place for everyone," said Ann Katzburg, vice president of the local teachers union.

"Straightlaced" features candid conversations with dozens of high school students across the country about the pressures they feel to fit in to certain gender roles or risk being teased or abused.

"From girls who dumb down so they don’t intimidate boys, to boys who are sexually active just to prove they aren’t gay, to non‐conforming teens who face relentless bullying, the students in 'Straightlaced' show how gender expectations are having unhealthy and often dangerous impact on the lives of today’s teens," reads a promotional press release about the film.

Chasnoff said students were eager to open up about their struggles.

“No matter where we filmed, students jumped at the opportunity to speak their mind about this very taboo subject,” said Chasnoff, an Academy Award-winner and director of movie-making nonprofit Groundspark. “It was shocking to hear that the same pressures that led to the murder of Lawrence King in Oxnard ... in 2008 are being intensely felt by all students, all day, every day.”

A discussion will follow Monday's screening. Panelists include former San Ramon Valley High student Jennie Drummond, Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbian and Gays representative Steve Mason and local teachers Jeff Davis, Gary Leveque and Allison Gardiner.

At a glance

WHAT: Screening of "Straightlaced – How Gender Got Us All Tied Up"

WHEN: 7 p.m. Monday

WHERE: California High School, 9870 Broadmoor Drive

INFO: www.groundspark.org