PBS films looks at gay kids and families

AP | 8/25/03 | LYNN ELBER

[kattracks]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — In this summer of lighthearted gay-themed programming, a new PBS documentary is a reminder of how disconnected glossy TV images can be from real life.

"Family Fundamentals," from filmmaker Arthur Dong, is an intimate look at homosexual children and their devout parents. It debuts 10 p.m. EDT Tuesday (check local listings).

Dong's film records the heartache of people trying to reconcile their love and their beliefs, and touches on the ripple effect of such discord beyond family circles.

"The Bible is, and says, that homosexuality is a sin, and it's wrong," one mother says in the film. "It's a destructive behavior and will not bring happiness. ... You can't argue with that. It just is the way it is."

"It's really hard to change their point of view. Almost as hard as changing my point of view," says a gay son.

Dong wanted to reach across the gulf with a project that would respect and speak to both sides, he said in an interview. The filmmaking process itself revealed how difficult his task was.

One family initially gave its consent to be filmed, but then balked. In a kitchen table discussion, Dong tried to persuade the dad, a Mormon church bishop, to participate.

"The father said, 'Is this going to be a gay film?'" recalled Dong, answering that it would be "neither gay or non-gay. It's a film exploring the issues from both sides. ... That's my challenge as a filmmaker."

"If you can do that, you're a better man that I am," the man replied. He declined to participate when Dong wouldn't agree to make a film encouraging homosexuals to seek therapy.

But Dong, who is gay, said he was able to foster a valuable working relationship with a then-official of the National Association of Evangelicals who served as one of the film's key advisers.

"In our first conversation, he asked if I was gay. He said, 'You know, I think homosexuality is immoral.' I said, 'I expected you to think that. But we're still talking and still discussing the possibility of working together to create a film that people from your organization and the gay community can watch together without being antagonized.'"

News stories about prominent conservatives who have homosexual children initially piqued Dong's interest in making "Family Fundamentals."

The film reels off several examples, including the late Congressman Sonny Bono, father (with Cher) of Chastity, a gay rights activist; Vice President Dick Cheney, whose daughter Mary is lesbian; and conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly, with a gay son.

Dong was particularly interested in the intersection of the personal and the political. He cites the example of California state Sen. Pete Knight, a Republican who sponsored Proposition 22 — a successful 2000 measure to strengthen the state's ban on gay marriage. Knight has a gay son and a brother who died of AIDS.

"I found that such a strange paradox," Dong said. "What must Thanksgiving dinner be like for this family? ... I really saw these families as a microcosm for the larger questions and larger debates in the public sphere."

When politicians like Knight and others put their beliefs to work shaping policy, Dong said, it is of vital interest to society.

He didn't want to engage in "psychobabble," he said, but noted the complex psychology of one family in the film. The mother suggests her daughter is lesbian because of childhood trauma, and the daughter speculates her mother's anti-gay activities stem from guilt.

"Family Fundamentals" intercuts three stories: a man estranged from his Mormon family; a woman of the Pentecostal faith and her homosexual daughter and grandson; and a gay man who was a longtime aide and surrogate son to former U.S. Rep. Robert Dornan (both men are Catholic).

Brian Bennett finally mustered the courage to reveal his sexual orientation to Dornan, who in file footage is shown giving a speech in which he denounces homosexuality as "a grievous sin."

Dornan's response, says Bennett, was kind: "I've loved you like a son for 20 years. Did you think that would make a difference?" It did cause a rift in their once-close relationship, although Dong says both have made stabs at communication.

Perhaps the only possible compromise between homosexuals and their loving critics is "agree to disagree," Dong said.

His film comes at an interesting time, when some observers see a growing acceptance of homosexuality and gay rights. The Supreme Court recently struck down a Texas ban on gay sex, and television has made room for more programs with gay themes and characters.

But Dong, an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker who has been involved with the issue of gay civil rights for three decades, is not sanguine about how secure gays and lesbians should feel.

"There's a complacency among some in the gay community that things are fine now. We've got 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' and 'Will & Grace.' It's what we wanted."

But when a measure like Proposition 22 is drafted and passed, "we have to look at that and ask why."

___

[Steve_Seattle]

Gay this, gay that . . . I get goddamned sick of it every day. Why is the media so enamored of homosexuality?

[Steve_Seattle]

I'm waiting for the Dong jokes.

[New Horizon]

I won't be watching any PBS films that look at gay kids and families.

[Hebrews 11:6]

filmmaker Arthur Dong

You just can't make this stuff up--although I assume he made up his last name, and perhaps his first also. "I art Dong"

[Hebrews 11:6]

Happy to oblige.

[New Horizon]

On a business trip to the Orient, Joe decided to spend his last night having wild sex with a Geisha Girl.

Upon returning home three weeks later, he noticed a very weird green, festering sore growing on his penis.

He went to the doctor, Dr. Jones, who, after hearing of his Orient trip and extracurricular activities, told him he had Hong Kong Dong and the only cure was complete amputation.

Joe was horrified, and decided to get a second opinion. Joe contacted Dr. Smith and showed him the green growth. Dr. Smith said, "I am sorry but Dr. Jones is correct. We must amputate right away".

Joe could not accept this. His friend suggested that he visit an oriental doctor. They must deal with this all the time.

He went to Dr. Chu Wong. Dr. Wong agreed with the diagnosis of Hong Kong Dong, but said

"These Amadican Doctors - so quick to Chop Chop chop. Amputation not necesally."

Joe was relieved.

Dr. Wong said "You wait three weeks and it fall off on its own."

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

Gay this, gay that . . . I get goddamned sick of it every day. Why is the media so enamored of homosexuality?

They are almost there. The polls are not quite at 51% in favor of gay marriage. There is a couple of pct points to go.

[princess leah]

Do you know what PBS really stands for? Pornographic Bull S..t!

[RobRoy]

>>Why is the media so enamored of homosexuality?<<
Because 2 of every 100 people are gay.

I take the same stance I have for years: The ol' love the sinner and hate the sin.

Man I'm glad I ditched TV.

[ladylib]

"I found that such a strange paradox," Dong said. "What must Thanksgiving dinner be like for this family? ... I really saw these families as a microcosm for the larger questions and larger debates in the public sphere."

Whatever that means anyway.

A friend of mine's gay brother-in-law died of AIDS. All the guys in his family were in local law enforcement or FBI -- straight and Irish Catholic family. His parents were ashamed of his behavior and how he died. Well, that's their right.

Anyway, no one even mentions they gay brother-in-law at any family holidays. It's like he never existed.

That's how some families deal with it.

[Migraine]

LMAO

[RobRoy]

>Do you know what PBS really stands for? Pornographic Bull S..t!<

Back in the day I had tv, PBS had a show called "in the life" about gay people. My jaw dropped as far as Ward Cleavers would have. That was the end of PBS for me, even back then.

BTW, our local affiliate is looking like it is about to fold...

[GSWarrior]

I suppose it will air right after The Lawrence Welk Show.

[joesnuffy]

The sodomites & their minons..fear losing more ground come '04 and they are pushing far more vigourously them they ever have before....
along with their HOllywood media pimps and pedophiles...
They fear an awakening coservatism in America..and themselves falling out of favor & power
that is why they are desperate to make tv shows showing the sodomite lifestye in an unrealistic and highly agrandized light

[Steve_Seattle]

"Because 2 of every 100 people are gay."

Well, 20-25% of Americans claim to be born-again Christians, but you never see the media doing sympathetic treatments of Christians struggling to raise their kids in a dominant, often hostile secular culture.

[RobRoy]

>>That's how some families deal with it.<<

...and how I would deal with it. Quite frankly, life's too short. Ther's lots of other stuff to worry about and think about.

[RobRoy]

>>Well, 20-25% of Americans claim to be born-again Christians, but you never see the media doing sympathetic treatments of Christians struggling to raise their kids in a dominant, often hostile secular culture.<<

Yeah. Odd, idnt it? Come to think of it, even in "feel good" movies, there is virtually never even an acknowledgement of the existence of God

[Tigercap]

PBS is so gay

[Paul Atreides]

Why is the media so enamored of homosexuality?

They are the favorite new victim class of the left, now. The left assumes that they have minorities in the bag, so they now have a new victim group to exploit. Plus, the fact that it insults Christians doesn't hurt either.