ASHEVILLE — On April 29, “Straightlaced: How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up” will be shown at the Fine Arts Theater, 36 Biltmore Ave., at 7 p.m.
The film is comprised of 50 interviews with U.S. teens and deals with views on gender roles and homophobia. “Straightlaced” includes the perspectives of teens who self-identify as straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual or questioning and represent all points of the gender spectrum.
GroundSpark is the producer and distributor of this work. It was founded by Academy award-winning director and producer Debra Chasnoff in 1978. There are curriculums for educational outlets and professional development professionals through GroundSpark.
Chasnoff will be on hand for a Q&A session after the presentation.
A dessert reception will follow at the Blue Spiral Art Gallery next door.
Tickets are $10 and open to the public.
Prior to the screening and reception there will be CEU-available training hosted by Our Voice on April 29, 5-6:45 p.m. at the YMI Cultural Center, 39 S. Market St. Theme will be “Tough Guys and Good Girls: Gender and Identity.” Anna Sharratt of Our Voice will serve as trainer. Our Voice provides victims, outreach, intervention, counseling and educational services. To learn more about their work, visit ourvoicenc.org.
Registration is $20. Only 30 are available and includes a ticket to the movie and a boxed supper.
This event is underwritten by UNC-A Alliance and by Credit Suisse. It is part of a three-day “Anti-Bullying Community Symposium” highlighting the best practices to expand awareness about bullies, victims, bystanders and advocates. It is being held from April 28-30. The series is by Safe Schools for All: Supporters of the School Violence Prevention Act. A full schedule is available online at diversityed.org/node/63.
“Let’s Get Real” will be shown at Lispinsky Auditorium at the University of North Carolina-Asheville on April 28. Chasnoff will make comments afterward. Admission is free.
To register for the symposium or for more information, visit The Center for Diversity Education at diversityed.org.
This piece appeared in the April 17, 2010-April 30, 2010 print edition.