"Broken Heart Land" delves deep into America's heartland and how a lack of empathy and understanding brew hatred around the issues of the LGBT community and preconceived notions of lifestyle, including sexually transmitted diseases. Oklahoma is in the heart of America, and Norman is in the heart of Oklahoma. In this college town, where people are are progressive, educated, and blessed with so much, ostracism and an "us and them" attitude prevails among sizable portions of several of it's congregations.
The filmmakers, through one family's gut-wrenching tragic loss, focus a lens on the messages heard from churches, politicians, citizens, and family and friends. This movie, this in-depth look, could have taken place in Anywhere, Mid-America. Testament to the general openness of the community to voice their opinions, families from all sides invite filmmakers into their homes, places of worship, and civic centers.
In the Fall of 2012, a simple Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgendered History Month Proclamation was brought forth to a City of Norman Council Meeting for routine passage. What transpired was several hours of virtual non-stop hate-speech against the LGBT Community. Rumored to be in attendance was a young man struggling with his well-guarded secret of being HIV-positive. The pro-LGBT faction in attendance during the meeting were in shock and in damage-control, the anti-LGBT faction was in full-on assault mode. The following week, the young man, Zack Harrington took his own life.
The son of conservative, ex-military parents with a middle-class life and private demeanors, Zack left his parents questioning the horror, the environment that fostered it, and where to go from there.
Witnessing a Mom and Dad fight for the legacy of their son, fighting for equality, being a small still voice, and becoming activists, is encouraging. Something good came from something unimaginable.
Views and strategies are further fleshed out as one of the most vociferous anti-LGBT antagonists runs for public office, against, a quiet, businesswoman and LGBT community member. What follows is a unique, telling foray into the behind-the-scenes machinations of politics and how the LGBT community can be either made a firebrand issue or whether it is just part of a candidates private life. Whatever side you may find yourself on, your views will be enriched by having viewed "Broken Heart Land".
I had the privilege of viewing a Norman, Oklahoma hometown screening with the filmmakers, and they were so earnest, so moved by the experience. I hope their film reaches a wide audience. Be sure to check with filmmakers to request a screening in your town.
