St. John's Episcopal Church, on Wick Avenue, in Youngstown, is hosting a free film screening of Mama Bears, on Wednesday, September 13th at 6:30 pm. Following the screening will be a community discussion on the topic: "Why It's Important to Support Your LGBTQIA+ Family Within Your Christian Faith," led by affirming faith leaders. More information at YoungstownSolidarity@gmail.com.

We will have a vegan community meal, drinks, and snacks.

About the film Mama Bears: Christian parents push against ingrained, religion-fueled prejudices to embrace their LGBTQ+ children as they combine faith with activism in this uplifting and vital documentary. In Texas, Kimberly overhears her four-year-old Kai praying for God to take her home to Jesus rather than having to live as a boy. In Oklahoma, Sara is bedridden and cries for days after her son Parker comes out. In California, as her daughter Tammi decides to allow herself to and love with another woman after wrestling with 33 years of religious guilt, Tenita is taking the first steps to understanding. Across the country, there are over 30,000 “Mama Bears” who work to make the world kinder and safer for LGBTQ children of all ages. While they may come from strict religious upbringings and consider themselves devout Christians, the fierce love they have for their queer and trans children is unwavering, pushing them to choose not to be hateful re ections of a loving God. Director Daresha Kyi is un inching as she points her lens towards families whose faith has been challenged, documenting their journeys with care and empathy. Both intimate and thought-provoking, follow these mamas as they take their own brand of grassroots advocacy across the country, one hug at a time.

Content warning: the film contains difficult subject matter including mental health struggles and discussion of self-harm.
Co-sponsored by: St. John's Episcopal Church of Youngstown, PFLAG Youngstown, Free Mom Hugs Ohio, Full Spectrum Community Outreach, Youngstown Queer Talent, Mahoning Valley Queer Action, & Columbiana County Pride.