The UP Center and Illinois Public Media will present a special screening of the documentary, “Mama Bears,” followed by a panel discussion with audience Q &A on Friday, June 30 at 7pm at The Virginia Theatre: They call one another “mama bears” because of the ferocity with which they fight for their children’s rights. Although they grew up as fundamentalist, evangelical Christians praying for the souls of LGTBQ+ people, these mothers are now willing to risk losing friends, family, and faith communities to champion their kids—even if it challenges their belief systems and rips apart their worlds. From Emmy® Award-winning director Daresha Kyi, “Mama Bears” follows the journeys taken by three mothers and their gay, lesbian or trans children.
A panel moderated by Kimberlie Kranich of Illinois Public Media follows, with panelists:
Dr. M.R. Rowland, Choir Director, UU Church of Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Dynesha Grissom, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
State Rep. Carol Ammons, 103-District, Illinois
Rev. Sally Fritsche, Unitarian Universalist Minister
Questions and comments are welcome from the audience. Tickets are $7 and may be purchased at the Virginia Theatre box office or online here.