IN THE NEWS:
 

*With Oscar season in full swing, we take a look back at the history of LGBTQ representation in the award show, as we cheer on Yance Ford - director, friend, and the first-ever transgender director nominated by the academy. If you haven't seen Strong Island yet, we suggest you remedy that immediately. You can view it on Netflix here.

*Did you catch this article on the joys and challenges of being gay and Christian, published in conjunction with the Q Christian Fellowship's 2018 conference? It is required reading.

 

CREW UPDATES:

 *Daresha has been floating on Cloud 9 ever since her most recent film, Chavela, was nominated for the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards! Chavela has been nominated in the "Outstanding Documentary" category and we could not be more honored. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and celebrate media's inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community and the issues that affect their lives. Check out their fantastic list of films up for awards!

*And speaking of Chavela, the film is now available on DVD! So, if you've been waiting to see the film outtakes and listen to the directors' commentary, your wait is finally over. :)

*The amazing Liz Dyer sent us some inspiring updates and information. Liz started the "Mama Bear Story Project," a collection of portraits and autobiographical essays from members of Serendipitydodah for Moms, in January 2017. The portraits and essays are posted on the Mama Bear Story Project Facebook Page and on the Serendipitydodah blog. The twenty-four essays published in 2017 had a combined total of more than 90,000 views! The purpose of the project is to connect with other moms of LGBTQ kids and to change hearts and minds by sharing their stories. For more info about the private Facebook group and the "Mama Bear Story Project" email lizdyer55@gmail.com.

In addition, Serendipitydodah for Moms is proud to partner with the Banner Blanket Project to deliver blankets to LGBTQ teens and young adults who have lost the support of their families due to their LGBTQ status. Mama bears participating in the project are making no sew fleece blankets and sending them to these LGBTQ teens and young adults as reminders that there are people who care about them.

If you would like to recommend someone to receive a Banner Blanket, please email lizdyer55@gmail.com. Recommended recipients should be teens and young adults in the LGBTQ community who don’t have support from their family who reside in the U.S. Read more about the project here.

*The unstoppable mama bear Sara Cunningham attended the Q Christian Fellowship conference this January (formally the GCN) and sent us this fabulous update: "I was able to attend a break-out session called 'History of Human Sexuality from Patriarchy to the Turn of the 19th Century,' hosted by Kathy Baldock and Ed Oxford. The description for the class reads:  'Kathy and Ed investigate biblical text against a backdrop of the social and sexual roles of men and women from ancient cultures through the modern understanding of human sexuality. They share their findings from research of the 1946 RSV translation where the word "homosexual" was introduced in the Bible for the first time. Using a visual timeline and displaying rare Bibles, attendees will see key Bible passages, their meaning in ancient context, and how they have been translated over time.' "
 
Sara continued, “My heart raced and my eyes watered as I considered the magnitude of their findings to be as equal to the damage done by the lack of it. God speed and God bless them both!"