It’s Elementary

It's Elementary

The groundbreaking film that addresses anti-gay prejudice by providing adults with practical lessons on how to talk with children about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people. Part of The Respect for All Project.

It’s Elementary is the first film of its kind to address anti-gay prejudice by providing adults with practical lessons on how to talk with kids about gay people. Hailed as “a model of intelligent directing,” It’s Elementary shows that children are eager and able to wrestle with stereotypes and absorb new facts about what it means to be gay or lesbian.

Since it aired on more than 100 public television stations in 1999, It’s Elementary has fueled a growing movement of educators and parents — gay and straight alike — who are committed to preventing pervasive homophobia and anti-gay violence. The film shows what happens when kids in kindergarten through eighth grade discuss lesbian- and gay-related topics in age-appropriate ways. Shot in six public and private schools, It’s Elementary models excellent teaching about family diversity, name-calling, stereotypes, community building and more.

It’s Elementary has won numerous awards, has been acquired by nearly 3,000 educational institutions, and has received widespread acclaim from educators, policymakers, parents and religious leaders. Not surprisingly, It’s Elementary has also been relentlessly condemned by the conservative right.

Since its release, the producers have run a remarkably successful grassroots distribution campaign, intended to make It’s Elementary accessible to every conceivable type of institution working with children today. Through this effort, the film has had an unprecedented impact, creating a tidal wave of activism and public dialogue about addressing lesbian and gay issues in school.

New DVD Release of It’s Elementary

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The DVD contains the full-length version of the film, a 37 minute educational training version and a PDF file of the new, 136 page It’s Elementary guide to community organizing, professional development, and K-8 curriculum. The DVD also includes the documentary: It’s STILL Elementary, which follows up with some of the students and teachers we interviewed in It’s Elementary ten years later.

It’s Elementary is still available in a two-tape VHS set containing the full-length version of the film and the 37-minute educational training version. Colleges and universities receive a free printed and bound version of the new It’s Elementary guide with each copy of the film. The re-released version is distributed in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Welcoming Schools program.

Recommended for use by:

K-12 teachers and youth service providers

Religious communities

Corporate diversity awareness programs

Safe schools advocacy programs

College and university courses and library collections

Part of The Respect For All Project
Running Time: 78 minutes
Format: DVD and VHS
DVD includes the 78-minute full-length version, the 37-minute educator-training version, and the follow-up documentary It’s STILL Elementary. Also includes many bonus features, a PDF file of the 136-page It’s Elementary guide, as well as Spanish subtitles and closed captions.
VHS purchases include both the full-length version and the 37-minute educator training version of It’s Elementary. Closed captioned. VHS available with Spanish subtitles.

Price:
Individuals $45
K-12 Schools, Community Groups & Public Libraries $99
Colleges & Universities $250
Additional copies of the Guide $24.95

Organize a Local Screening

Educators, parents, and community leaders across the country are using It’s STILL Elementary to support their local safe schools work. Screenings are being organized to draw attention to local efforts, fundraise, and re-energize the dialogue around creating LGBT-inclusive schools. GroundSpark can assist with outreach and communications, and can even organize for one of the film’s participants to attend your screening. For more information about local screenings of It’s STILL Elementary, please email info@respectforall.org.