It’s Still Elementary

Back at the end of November, I had the opportunity to be at the Washington D.C. premiere of It’s Still Elementary, a film by Groundspark (formerly known as Women’s Educational Media).

It’s Elementary: Talking About Gay Issues in School is often regarded by the students in my Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies course as one of their favorite films. Before watching the film, the students largely believe that K-12 is a bit early to start educating students about LGBT issues, but then quickly change their tune when they witness how teachers and students in It’s Elementary have successfully incorporated LGBT issues into their curriculum.

They’re amazed at how much the students depicted in the film are able to understand about regarding gay and lesbian issues, and equally surprised to find out how much misinformation students in K-12 settings have already been exposed to by media, peers, family, etc.

One of my critiques of It’s Elementary is that the film is completely silent on bisexual and transgender people’s issues. Granted, when the film was made, it was pushing the boundaries just talking about gay issues. In fact, to a large degree, to advocate teaching gay issues in K-12 education is still very much pushing the boundaries even today. I acknowledge this historic context of the film’s making, and make my critiques in the spirit very much in keeping with the film’s intent—to push the boundaries of acceptance, and attain respect for all.

It’s Still Elementary is a film that follows up with certain people from It’s Elementary. Celebrating the release of It’s Elementary on DVD for the first time, It’s Still Elementary is a special feature of the DVD on this, the film’s ten year anniversary. The film tracks down several people almost ten years later and asks them how their participation in the film has affected their lives. Juxtaposing their mid 1990’s selves with their present-day selves helps to demonstrate just how true the adage is that “the children are our future.”

Keeping this in mind, I wanted to share the following: