A compelling new documentary is bringing a platform to an important and heartbreaking story that took place in the American heartland.
Coinciding with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, "Broken Heart Land" aims to bring awareness to HIV/AIDs awareness, the dangers of schools lacking comprehensive sex education programs and the struggle for rights for the LGBT community in the conservative American Heartland. The film follows the story of Zack Harrington, a gay teen who committed suicide one week after attending a local city council meeting in support of a proposal for LGBT History Month in his small town.
"Even though we live in a slightly more progressive world where gay rights issues and HIV/AIDS education have made notable strides in many large cities, Zack's tragic story is representative of hundreds of young gay teens all over Bible Belt, conservative small towns across America who are still wrestling with feelings of shame," Directors Jeremy and Randy Stulberg said in a statement. "We hope that through the film we will be able to start a dialogue across the country in the same way that the Harringtons have done in Norman, Oklahoma and hopefully prevent future suicides from teens in smaller towns who may feel hopeless."
"Broken Heart Land" will air nationwide on Tues., June 24, 2014 as the season finale broadcast for World Channel’s current season of America ReFramed, and will also have it world premiere at the Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco on Saturday, June 21. Head here to see when the film will re-air on your local listings.