Kitchen Table Wisdom

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Comment by Heather Lee on November 22, 2009 at 18:18

Long live kitchen tables! Thanks so much, Claire.

Comment by Rev Leanne Jenski on November 21, 2009 at 21:39

I love the line "at kitchen tables everywhere we're slowly, steadily making progress" ....

Comment by Minka Park on November 21, 2009 at 21:16

This is a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing!

Comment by Melina MIchelle Magdalena on November 18, 2009 at 19:19

I loved it, Claire. It's such a positive film. It brought me many smiles and lifted my heart, too.

Comment by Katrina on November 16, 2009 at 17:10

Claire, I watched this at my kitchen table with my 6 year old son and 3 year old daughter. He wanted to know what beaming was. I told him great big rainbow smiles. My daughter disappeared after watching your story and returned with a question. She asked "do you love me very much?" ... and then she gifted me with a red heart foil sparkle. Your story is already working the magic of story telling by paying it forward. Thank you and keep your red heart sparkling xx Katrina

Comment by Rainbow Family Tree on November 16, 2009 at 13:32

This video was made by Claire... let her know what you think!

Comment by Rainbow Family Tree on November 16, 2009 at 10:17

My story represents a period of questioning of my upbringing, family and society and my own attitudes. It describes some of the turning points in my experience as a lesbian ‘coming out with kids!’ Most of the images are photographs from growing up in my family, plus pictures, artwork, graphics (even a sun cake!) made by various family members. This helped me bring the story to life in a real and colourful way. The music is from my coming out song ‘Walking Between Two Worlds’.

Some of the lessons I wanted to convey (and celebrate!) are ‘it is never too late to be yourself’ and ‘never ever give up’ (despite family or social pressures). Writing this story helped me say something positive to my children too. I want them to know that they also have the right to be themselves. It’s also a big general statement for all of us, about facing reality. The Rainbow Family Tree of Humanity is not a fiction. I can be a parent, a teacher, a musician and even a moviemaker and this is all me and all ok. I can also be true to myself and be gay! Labels are not people; negative stereotypes are not people.

This short film gives a glimpse into my reality. Maybe it will inspire others to tell theirs too, in their own way, in their own time… and for, or about the people that matter to them. Other people’s stories in the past helped me out, now it is my turn to pay it forward.