Frameline 37: the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival being held this weekend features a series of documentaries produced by the Family Acceptance Project. The films will show the journey families of different ethnicity and religious beliefs take to support their children whether they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. One family depicted in the documentary are the Montgomerys. A traditionally Mormon family, the Montgomerys went door to door to raise support for Proposition 8 (a law that would only recognize male/female marriages) in 2008. However, after their son Jordan attempted suicide due to his struggle with his sexuality and religious beliefs, the family has changed their beliefs in support of their son. Wendy Montgomery, Jordan’s mother, has said that she was taught through her religion that “gay people are disgusting and immoral” and “AIDS is God’s punishment for homosexuality.” Wendy goes on to say she was confused by church’s view on homosexuality. “God views it as a sin, but I looked at a boy who had never done anything wrong, a pure innocent child, no way sinning or choosing this.” After assuring Jordan that he was still perfect to them and that nothing had changed, the Montgomery’s went on to do some research on the subject. A lot of material from the church said that Jordan’s sexuality was just a phase, a choice and a popular thing to do. Wendy didn’t believe any of it and eventually discovered the Family Acceptance Project, an initiative that uses a research-based, culturally grounded approach to help ethnically, socially and religiously diverse families decrease rejection and increase support for their LGBT children. Through the Family Acceptance Project the Montgomery’s were assured they didn’t have to choose between their religious beliefs and their son. Now a strong family unit, the Montgomery’s are willing to fight for their son and have no second thoughts on their decision in accepting him. I know there are so many stories about families who abandon their children after learning about their sexuality. Seeing it as a choice and abomination. It’s just absurd. I respect that the Montgomery’s accepted their son and then chose to research ways to assure him and themselves as to how they could remain Mormon. The Family Acceptance Project sounds like a wonderful organization that helps educate families on subjects they may be afraid to understand. Breaking the barrier between religion and sexual orientation is a huge battle. The more families choose to accept their children and their sexuality, the more others may see the error in their ways. Hopefully one day people won’t feel they need to choose between family and religion. Yahoo!

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