The Out of the Closet and Onto the Screen film series will offer a showing of In Good Conscience, the story of an unlikely rebel -- an American nun -- who finds herself at the center of a human-rights storm. The screening, which is free and open to the public, will be held on Monday, November 3, at 7:00 p.m. in Textor 102.
The film chronicles the true story of Sister Jeannine Gramick [pictured at right], who defied a Vatican edict to shut down her compassionate ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics, and to silence herself permanently on the subject of homosexuality. Her battle takes her all the way to Rome, where she attempts an audience with her key adversary over the years -- none other than Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger -- who would later become Pope Benedict XVI.
"I choose not to collaborate in my own oppression by restricting a basic human right," said Gramick. "To me, this is a matter of conscience."
The film won the Audience Favorite Award for best feature documentary at the Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, best documentary at the ReelPride Michigan Festival, and honorable mention at NewFest for its "inspirational and stirring portrait of a woman who has defied censorship to speak out against homophobia and discrimination."
Sponsored by the Ithaca College Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Education, Outreach, and Services, the film series this year will explore sexual orientation and identity through the lens of faith. The series will present a total of eight films during the fall semester; additional screenings will take place this spring. All are free and open to the public.
For a complete schedule visit the "Events" section of the LGBT Center website (www.ithaca.edu/lgbt) or contact the LGBT Center for a fall film series postcard.
