Tag Archives: funding

Teacher Told To Resign For Playing This Anti-Bullying LGBT Video

Tom Leahy is a teacher at a school in Kansas, who has been asked to resign after playing a viral anti-homophobia video to 14 year olds in his social studies class at Conway Springs Middle School.

As part of a history lesson on tolerance for an Eighth grade class, the teacher played short film Love Is All You Need.

Based on the award-winning short film of the same name, the hugely popular anti-bullying clip challenges society by exploring bullying and prejudice in a new light.

Love-Is-All-You-Need

Now with more than 12 million views on YouTube, the film is based on the premise of the ‘reversed world’ – where social roles are inverted – ‘gay is straight and straight is gay’ – this unique viewpoint allows viewers to ‘walk a mile’ in another’s shoes.

However, Mr Leahy told the Wichita Eagle that the video had “upset too many people” in the predominantly Catholic town, and that he has been asked to step down despite teaching at the school since 1997.

He added:

I knew something was going to happen. I just didn’t know this would happen.”

Watch the full film below;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ROXTFfkcfo

[interaction id=”560c2d3377aa6c1a034e607b”]

Lesbian Indie Film ‘Heartland’ Has a Big Budget and Big Potential

Ah, ‘having an affair with your brother’s fiancée’, also known as the hidden step on the road to accepting the death of a loved one. At least, that’s what Lauren does in Heartland when she’s hit by the tragic and sudden loss of her girlfriend and decides to move back home to Oklahoma to make the pain feel a little less painful.

Her brother Justin and his aforementioned fiancée Carrie (who is described as “uptight” by the filmmakers) head to the Southern state to help launch a local winery, whilst Lauren, an artist extraordinaire, opts to help them put together the marketing.

The ‘sordid’ affair part of the film happens when Lauren “regains her sense of adventure” and Carrie realises that hey, maybe the heterosexual marriage tradition just isn’t for her. The filmmakers also explain that it becomes a “sexual affair that can’t remain secret for long” which doesn’t bode well for Heartland’s f/f pairing but it certainly sounds like a good watch.

http://vimeo.com/107310248

As it stands, the film is complete. High profile actors like Jeffrey Tambor (of Arrested Development and Transparent fame) and out actress Sarah Paulson (from American Horror Story) have all been vocal in their support but more than words, Heartland needs money for post-production.

The team behind it is using indiegogo to raise funds, with a goal set at $150,000. That seems a little lofty but they explain that they need the funds to market Heartland and get the movie out there. Unfortunately their budget is too small for traditional investors to chip in but it’s too big for the filmmakers (they’re a team of six at the moment) to cover themselves.

There are 17 days to go and a third of that figure has been raised so Heartland stands a good chance of reaching its goal. The indiegogo page also explains that the funding is tax deductible, which basically means that if you pay taxes you’ll get it back when you file them.

Click here to find out more about the film.

I Kissed a GIRL – a Documentary Short | #ikissedagirl

For lesbians, kissing a girl for the first time is a mind-blowing and a life-changing event. So a Tennessee team – Jennifer Sheridan and Daniel Weiss (the DoSomething Film Group) are looking for funding in order to make a movie about it.

‘I Kissed a GIRL [a documentary short]’ spotlights lesbians reminiscing about the first time they kissed a girl, recalling the exact moment many confirm — or finally understand — who they are and who they’re meant to be kissing.

You can’t help make a connection to the stories of these women. When you see their faces and hear them talking about these first kiss experiences, you watch as they remember how they connected the dots about their own sexuality. It doesn’t matter if you are gay or straight, you’ll be reminded of your own experiences and find yourself smiling along as they remember. That connection, that accessibility to LGBTQ culture, is vital to the community as we strive for acceptance and equal rights. Our stories are important; these are our histories. Please help us get these heard.

Jennifer Sheridan

There are some talented people involved in this project. From the singer-songwriter Jill Sobule whose 1995 song ‘I Kissed a Girl’ was the inspiration for the short film, to artists Rosie Piter and Mary Vertulfo.

We have an enthusiastic crew and we are so very grateful to all the beautiful women who share their stories with us on camera. Last but not least – YOU. We can’t do it without our investors and we are thankful and lucky to have your support.

Jennifer Sheridan

Help make it happen- for I Kissed a GIRL: Lesbians’ First Kiss Experiences and the team!

I kissed a girl

Show your Support for Lesbian Film Project – Love Is All You Need

Based on the award-winning short film of the same name, the proposed feature film Love Is All You Need? challenges society by exploring bullying and prejudice in a new light. Based on the premise of the ‘reversed world’ – where social roles are inverted – ‘gay is straight and straight is gay’ – this unique viewpoint allows viewers to ‘walk a mile’ in another’s shoes. 

Inversed, mainstream norms are thrown into chaos as we follow multiple story-lines of everyday people who are bullied for the opposite-sex partners they love. This inversion is a powerful learning tool that has created an overwhelming response from people all over the globe. Translated in 15 different languages, the filmmakers receive emails daily about how the film has helped ‘change minds’ and open otherwise close-minded people to understand that ‘Love does not define who you are’.

The original short film was released in 2011, and went on to win numerous festival accolades, be viewed over 30 million viewers online. This project has created an overwhelming response from people all over the globe. Translated in 15 different languages, the filmmakers receive emails daily about how the film has helped ‘change minds’ and open otherwise close-minded people to understand that ‘Love does not define who you are’.

The writer and director – Kim Rocco – has now started an Indiegogo campaign to raise money to turn the short film into a feature-length film. Rocco is just 21, but became one of LA’s most coveted union script supervisors, working closely with notable mentors such as J.J. Abrams and Gore Verbinski.

The film has also gained the support of GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) and From The Heart Productions.

To support the project go too www.icantstopbullying.com.

Watch the original short film – Love is All You Need?