Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival 2009

Take a camera, some high school students, and a discussion about gender identity and sex roles, and you may be intrigued by the conversation’s direction. STRAIGHTLACED is a surprising documentary that explores how straight, gay, lesbian, bi, queer, and questioning teens feel about their sexual and social identity as well as what they want others to know about them. The students are open about the conformist stresses they face from deeply held stereotypes and rigid gender policing, including messages about body image and pressure to be sexually active. Sure, they worry over the “right” way to dress, deodorize, and date (sometimes just to show that they are not gay), but also how to escape the pressures that limit who they really want to be. Funny, sympathetic, confused, and scared, they reflect the typically atypical American high school experience. You may connect with their captivating stories so much that you’ll find yourself thinking, “That was me!” There is no airbrushing, no script, no hiding—just honesty.

Copresented by The Safe Schools Coalition