My wife & I were lucky enough to see Mama Bears at the Traverse City Film Festival last evening. What a wonderful & enlightening documentary that shows the bravery of Christian parents who find their children are LGBTQ in some fashion. Mama Bears is a "network of groups, websites, special projects & resources dedicated to supporting, educating and empowering parents of LGBTQ kids and the LGBTQ community". This fascinating film follows professing Christian parents or LGBQT individuals who struggle with a faith which often condemns their children and themselves. For all of them, their faith is very important but the reality of their own or their child's biology cannot be denied. As one parent said, when science and faith are contradictory then one needs to re-examine both to find the truth.
To me, the most fascinating and educational individual in the film is Kai Shappley who was born as a male but told her mother Kimberly at the age of 2 1/2 that she was a girl. With incredible wisdom, Kimberly allowed her to express her femaleness and by the time we see her she is a beautiful, intelligent and not-so-little-in-wisdom girl going to grade school in Texas. The travails of Kai and her mother as the deal with Texas's bathroom bills etc. Is heartbreaking, even thought they ultimately come out victorious. Of course the Gov. Abbott of Texas is still trying to make living in Texas near impossible for trans children.
Another admirable person followed by the film is Sara Cunningham, the Christian mother of a gay son. She started Free Mom Hugs, an organization that does just what its name says at Gay Pride parades and other events across the nation. Jesus said the world would know Christians by their love and these people exemplify those words.
DIrector Daresha Kyi was present for the Q&A and said the film would eventually be shown on PBS's Independent Lens so the general public can see it. She is goin g to screen the film in churches hoping to broaden their congregants views and help to find acceptance and love. And she is hopeful (but not very optimistic) that even Texas Governor Abbott will view it.
