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Mary Agnes Donoghue on ‘Jenny’s Wedding’

candy — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 14:00:08 +0000

Mary Agnes Donoghue (right) and Katherine Heigl
(Photo courtesy of Marcy Ronen)

BY EMELINA MINERO
Lesbian.com

Mary Agnes Donoghue is a screenwriter, playwright, director and producer with seven movies under her belt, including the memorable “Beaches” and “White Oleander.” Her latest project is “Jenny’s Wedding,” for which she’ll have screenwriter, director and co-producer credits.

The much-anticipated “Jenny’s Wedding,” tells the story of the title character, played by Katherine Heigl, as she comes out as a lesbian to her very traditional family and plans her wedding in a typical Middle American small town. The movie is currently finishing up in post-production and is expected to have a fall release in the theaters.

The filmmakers have launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise money to obtain publishing rights to the music to be used on the film’s soundtrack. With 17 days left in the campaign, we chatted with Donoghue about her inspiration for the film, why the theme of personal courage resonates deeply throughout the picture and her decision not to vilify Jenny’s conventional, Middle American family.

What inspired you to write “Jenny’s Wedding?”

It’s a fictional story, but I was inspired by my niece coming out. Jenny, the real Jenny (I used her real name), was completely at ease with being gay. She came out when she was younger, although she didn’t tell the rest of her family. I think her siblings knew, but no one else. What inspired me is that my sister is a very conventional person, and I was stunned when Jenny wanted to get married, and the distance they went to; they never denied her. There was never a rupture between her parents and Jenny, but I suspected what went on behind the scenes for them as people, and I was impressed by it. I was impressed by the lengths they went to, and it was huge.

Personal courage is a theme in all of your films. Why is personal courage something that resonates with you?

It’s the thing that moves me most in life. I’m endlessly fascinated by people walking by in super markets. It’s not just about a soldier going out. It’s suddenly seeing what it takes for people to lead a good life, and it’s not easy.

How does the theme of personal courage come through in “Jenny’s Wedding?”

I think it comes through for everyone actually. I just feel like people who live in, particularly the south, live in such a conventional world. And there are people who don’t like change. They’re not accustomed to it. Their world is small, comfortable; they like it. They’re at ease in it. They have an order in which they expect life to take place and evolve, and [in the film] they have to come up against their own limitations. I think these are people who never expected to be tested. And then their values are tested. Their values are tested profoundly.

Do you consider Jenny’s family homophobic?

They’re not homophobes. They just live in this world where that isn’t part of their lives. It’s not part of their world. I think it’s less about people being disapproving, [and more about being] unsophisticated and inexperienced and leading lives where there’s very little change. And I think that’s part of it. It’s just a fear of change. And I think that’s part of the reason why people don’t like change — when things do change you are tested. You’re tested on every level.

[As a writer,] you really try to get inside of who these people are. There’s this line in a scene that takes place in the garage; it took me about three years to write it. He [Jenny’s dad] says, “If you tell them, you’ll hurt your mother.” Jenny replies, “And if I don’t, I’ll hurt me. What would you do?” I had a million elaborate things for him to say and I just went deeper and deeper into this. Who is this person? And his line is, “I don’t know.” And it’s that simple. These people are at a loss. You try to get into the truth of the people, and the character.

On your Indiegogo campaign site, you describe “Jenny’s Wedding” as a road map for families with LGBT children. How so?

People will recognize themselves when they see this movie. Families will recognize themselves. And it will give them a guide on how you move through it and the decisions you have to make if you want to keep that tight-knit, loving family together.

It really is that journey as a family and the things we all hold back from each other. The things we reveal or don’t reveal. In this case, it’s a big thing. When Jenny does come out — and the ensuing events — it’s a major moment of truth for everybody. For all of them, and a confrontation about who you are and who you want to be.

I think it could have a huge impact on marriage equality. I think it will hit both sides of the issue, both sides of the community — the families and gay children.

Would you like to support this film? You can help by spreading the word or participating in their Indiegogo campaign. A portion of all contributions will be donated to PFLAG Cleveland, a non-profit that works with families and friends of LGBT people to provide them resources on how to best support their children. By donating to their campaign not only will you be contributing to the making of the film, you’ll be eligible for cool perks like digital downloads of the film, props from the set or screenings with the cast and crew. All donations are tax deductible as a result of their partnership with From the Heart Productions.

The post Mary Agnes Donoghue on ‘Jenny’s Wedding’ first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Windsor named honoree at PFLAG Awards Dinner

candy — Sat, 12 Oct 2013 17:45:41 +0000

BY The Seattle Lesbian

PFLAG NYC (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of New York City) is proud to announce that Broadway producer, Daryl Roth, who has mounted a record seven Pulitzer Prize-winning plays and multiple Tony Award-winning shows, and Edie Windsor, the brave and outspoken plaintiff in United States v. Windsor, which brought federal recognition of same-sex marriage, will be featured honorees at the 40th Anniversary PFLAG NYC Awards Dinner on Monday, October 14.

Roth will receive the PFLAG NYC “Stay Close” Family Leadership Award in recognition of her prominent role in the successful 2011 campaign for marriage equality in New York State.

Even teachers can bully LGBT students

Sidney — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:00:49 +0000

BY JEN WOO
dot429

Gay and bi students in Queensland are reportedly being bullied by teachers, in addition to other students, according to PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Their sexuality being targeted, PFLAG reports that 70% of these students are bullied, sometimes by teachers. Representatives recently met with Queensland government officials regarding the issue.

In regards to bullying in Queensland, the Department of Education, Training and Employment (DETE) officials have agreed to set guidelines to prevent anti-gay bullying to their websites, in addition to working out ways to ensure teachers do not bully students for any reason. DETE will report back to PFLAG regarding its progress within two months.

Late PFLAG founder honored with Citizens Medal

Sidney — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 12:00:28 +0000

The late Jeanne Manford, founder of PFLAG, marches alongside her son Morty in a 1972 gay rights parade in NYC (Photo courtesy PFLAG)

BY ZACK FORD
ThinkProgress

On Friday, President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential Citizens Medals to several recipients, among whom was the late Jeanne Manford, who publicly defended her gay son and founded Parents, Friends, & Family of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) to advocate for other gay sons. The Presidential Citizens Medal is the second highest civilian award, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The President is quoted: “Jeanne’s courage lives on in progress she fought for and in PFLAG, the organization she founded, which today claims more than 200,000 members and supporters in over 350 chapters. For insisting that equality knows no bounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, the United States honors Jeanne Manford.”

Dr. Oz riles LGBT groups with ‘ex-gay’ episode

candy — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:40:38 +0000

BY HUFFINGTON POST GAY VOICES

A controversial “Dr. Oz Show” episode has sparked the ire of the nation’s most high-profile lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocacy groups for promoting the “dangerous and harmful practices” of reparative therapy.

The episode, which aired Nov. 28, debated the merits of so-called reparative, or “ex-gay,” therapy. Among the featured guests was Julie Hamilton, a representative of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (or NARTH) which has routinely been at odds with American Psychiatric Association and other scientific organizations.

PFLAG NYC honors activist Audra McDonald

candy — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:25:56 +0000

Audra McDonald is best known for her work on ABC’s “Private Practice”

BY THE SEATTLE LESBIAN

PFLAG NYC (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of New York City) has announced that Audra McDonald will be the featured honoree at the 32nd Annual PFLAG NYC Awards Gala on Monday, October 15, at Tribeca Three Sixty in New York City. McDonald will receive the PFLAG NYC “Stay Close” Leadership Award in recognition of her years advocating full equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and for her participation in the PFLAG NYC “Stay Close” campaign which featured straight celebrities appearing with their LGBT loved ones.

“Bobby and Andy have been there for me at so many important points in my life,” explained McDonald about her godfathers, Bobby Wilson and Andy Gale , who are gay and with whom she will appear in a new “Stay Close” portrait to be unveiled at the PFLAG NYC gala. “I love them so much. I don’t know what I would do without them.”