The Critically-Acclaimed, Award-Winning Documentary Set For June 12th Virtual Theatrical Release Nationwide
LGBTQ+ organizations GLAAD and PFLAG National have teamed up with First Run Features as official partners in support of the June 12 release of Daniel Karslake’s documentary “FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.”
This past weekend, GLAAD and PFLAG National hosted virtual sneak previews of the film, with a portion of the rental proceeds going towards each of their work in promoting LGBTQ+ affirmation.
The critically-acclaimed, award-winning documentary is set for a virtual theatrical release nationwide on June 12, in collaboration with independent arthouse cinemas via their websites and fortheyknow.org.
“FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO” is Karslake’s follow up to the critically-acclaimed, 2007 Oscar® Shortlisted documentary “For the Bible Tells Me So,” and is a powerful exploration of the intersection of religion, sexual orientation and gender identity in America.
“The power of the pulpit is to move hearts and a congregation, but if the messages LGBTQ+ people in the pews hear demonizes and dehumanizes them, it causes only harm,” PFLAG National Executive Director Brian K. Bond, said. “FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DOsheds light on this--and also that there is love found in faith teachings that can be built upon. At a time when so many politicians and faith leaders manipulate teachings to sow division, this film reminds us that being a person of faith and being a person who is, or loves, an LGBTQ+ person are not mutually exclusive. The families in this film demonstrate this powerfully.”
“‘FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO’ is a powerful film that is focused on a message of acceptance and love, something that we all need more of today,” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said. “We hope all families see themselves in the film, and fight for a child’s right to be safe and loved for who they are. ‘FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO’ is a moving testament to a family’s love, and highlights how important these conversations are for driving acceptance of LGBTQ youth.”
In addition to the families’ stories, “FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO” highlights perspectives from internationally renowned religious leaders including Bishop Gene Robinson, Pastor Dr. Delman Coates, Reverend Dr. Jacqui Lewis, and Reverend Cynthia Alice Anderson; and features Sarah McBride, the 2020 Delaware Senate candidate who notably addressed the Democratic National Convention in 2016 as the first openly transgender person to do so.
The New York Times critic Lovia Gyarkye praised the film for its “Absorbing testimonies, compelling narratives and effective commentary highlight the violence faced by L.G.B.T.Q. people (especially transgender people of color),” and going on to say that “its success comes from interrogating the cultural assumption that there is no space for a range of sexual orientations and gender identities within religious communities.”
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