This is an unforgettable film about bullying in schools told through the story of one gay man, Jamie Nabozny, who was tormented mentally and physically from grade school to high school. School administrators consistently ignored the pleas for help from Nabozny and his parents. He finally finds an advocate who takes his case to court and wins a precedent-setting case. The film weaves scenes of Nabozny speaking to a high school assembly and dramatizations of his own experiences.
The film includes interviews with his mother, who describes the anguish of not being able to keep her son safe. As a working-class family, they could not afford an alternative school setting for Jamie.
This film can play a critical role for 7th grade to adult to raise awareness about the realities of bullying of all children and the particular impact of homophobic harassment and violence against gay and lesbian students. The legislation in Mr. Nabozny’s case is a victory, but it will also take the commitment of everyone in a school community to create a safe and respectful environment for all students. This film and the accompanying viewers’ guide are major contributions to that effort.
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