Title: Love Free or Die
Directed by: Macky Alston
Starring: Bishop Gene Robinson
Running time: 82 Minutes, Not Rated
Special Features: Featurette and Trailer
A documentary about Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop who is the only bishop not invited to the once in a decade held global Lambeth Anglican Conference. A film crew follows Robinson as he struggles to bring to light that homosexuality does not interfere with the right to preach and worship and the LGBT communities should be welcomed to practice the religion as anyone else. He is constantly yelled at and told he is a sinner, and even people who think they are soldiers for god attempt to murder him in the name of the church.
The first female Anglican bishop Barbara Harris says bluntly, “Get real. Gene Robinson is certainly not the first gay bishop n the church. Gene may be the first one who’s openly gay he’s not the first gay bishop. but, uh…y’know, give me a break.” To elaborate, she’s saying that him being openly gay isn’t a big deal and shouldn’t be a big deal, and it’s unrealistic to believe gay bishops never existed. Bishop Gene gives many other religious officials the courage to come out to the committee at the General Convention of the Episcopal church in an attempt to change a bill on welcoming gays and gay marriage. I’m not giving it away because it’s already known that the bill passed and the church allows blessings of same-sex marriage in the states where it is legal.
One truly disheartening scene was with a gay couple with several adopted children who were told by their church that they would only baptize their children if they stood in front of the church and proclaimed themselves sinners who would try to “get over it.” It’s just unreal that this type of schoolyard mentality still exists in a church of all places.
I enjoyed this documentary, regardless of how disgusted it made me feel for the hate mongers. It’s an example of years of misplaced fear and “twisted imaginations” that should be quashed. I love and commend Bishop Barbara Harris; she is so straightforward and just a cool lady. The LGBT people will no longer be silenced or threatened. They aren’t going away, and telling them they’re sinners or going to hell isn’t going to change who they are. They have every right to be believers and followers of the church where there is room for all. Barbara Harris reiterates something that hasn’t yet sunk in for the naysayers, “God has no favorites.”
Reviewed by: JM Willis
Total Rating: A
