That’s the shocking scenario examined in a new online short film, which is the first of its kind to use Facebook and Twitter to raise awareness of the alarming inequalities facing gay parents throughout Europe.
Launched 5 November 2012 for the UK’s National Adoption Week, it is a joint project from online organisation All Out and producer Mike Buonaiuto, the award-winning director of the ‘Homecoming’ equal marriage video commissioned by the Coalition for Equal Marriage. The film is also supported by Michael Cashman MEP.
The #InvisibleParents film shows a daughter’s happy memories with her two dads before asking the question: Why isn’t their family legally recognised in the majority of Europe?
"EU member states pride themselves on integration, but their governments still fail to resolve the legal hurdles keeping same-sex families from full recognition across borders," says Andre Banks, Executive Director of All Out, a global movement fighting for LGBT equality. All Out is running an online campaign alongside the film, calling on the European Commission to address the situation. http://www.allout.org/invisibleparents
Michael Cashman said, “Gay and lesbian parents can often find themselves legally invisible in a large percentage of the continent, putting their entire family in a very vulnerable situation especially with regard to healthcare, holidays or family legal systems.
“The #InvisibleParents film argues that all children should be treated with legal equality regardless of the sexual orientation of their parents. It is a brilliant way to allow people to connect with these very real issues and then do something about it,” Cashman said.
The #InvisibleParents project is supported by other organisations such as ILGA-EUROPE, NELFA and BAAF. They are available to offer advice to anyone watching the film seeking support.
Please get behind the project by sharing it with your friends, visit www.invisibleparents.eu and hashtag #InvisibleParents.
UK filmmaker Mike Buonaiuto has produced many short films for international brands and organisations, several to critical acclaim. For more information check out www.MikeB.co.nr or say hello on Twitter @Videographer88.
