Documentary looks at high school homophobia in Venango County
by Deb Spilko
We Belong is the story of two Venango County gay teens who had the courage to stand up to bigotry and intolerance in their schools - and the determination to tell their stories to the world. The film was produced and directed by former Oil City resident Joe Wilson.
In the documentary, C.J. Bills tells about the constant "sheer hell" he endured as a gay student at Franklin High School. He tells about the day he went to the locker room to use the bathroom, and tells of taunts, harassment, and hearing threatening remarks about "smearing" him. He goes to the administrator to protest what has happened, and ends up with the state police arresting and handcuffing him for disorderly conduct. To fight back, he decides to make a documentary about discrimination against gay youth in school. With his family's help, he also initiates an investigation by the Pennsylvania Human Rights Commission and shames the school district into developing an anti-bullying and diversity training program.
C.J.'s documentary project also leads him to Tim Dahle, who challenged the years of anti-gay harassment he suffered as a student at Titusville High School. After several years of harassment at his school, Tim made a serious attempt on his life. His parents decided to sue the school district for failing to protect him. According to the film, "the school district that failed to protect (Dahle) agreed to one of the largest sexual harassment settlements in history, sending a signal to school districts around the country that such behavior can be costly."
We Belong demonstrates that young people have the power to change their communities and the world, and that helping youth to tell their stories, in their own way and on camera, is enlightening, empowering, and effective.
The film is one of six semi-finalists in Current TV's Seeds of Tolerance Contest. The winner of the contest will be chosen by viewers. (you have until December 2, 2006 to vote for your favorite.). The grand prize winner will receive $100,000 in cash and an additional $15,000 to donate to the charity of his or her choice. Two finalists will also receive $10,000 apiece. The awards will be presented at a screening event in Los Angeles in December.
On the web.
Seeds of Tolerance website
Oil City Derrick article about the film
www.thederrick.com/stories/11152006-3102.shtml
For more about producer and filmmaker Joe Wilson http://webelongthemovie.com
