“Absorbing testimonies, compelling narratives and effective commentary highlight the violence faced by L.G.B.T.Q. people (especially transgender people of color). But its success comes from interrogating the cultural assumption that there is no space for a range of sexual orientations and gender identities within religious communities.”
– THE NEW YORK TIMES
“Director Daniel Karslake lets his subjects [in For They Know Not What They Do]…do what the form at its best is meant to do: not just speak truth to power but show us a wider world, and why it serves all of us to care.”
– ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Watch the trailer here.
Watch Daniel Karslake and Sarah McBride speak about the film on ABC NEWS LIVE.
For a full list of venues across the country, visit the First Run Features website.
SUBJECTS: Rob and Linda Robertson, Lindsey Robertson, Don Mueller, David and Sally McBride, Sarah McBride, Vico Baez Febo, Victor Baez, Annette Febo, Iris Delia Collazo, Harold and Coleen Porcher, Elliot Porcher, Randy Thomas, Robin Maynard-Harris, Reverend Cynthia Alice Anderson, Reverend Dr. Delman Coates, Reverend Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Bishop Gene Robinson, Paul M. Smith, Reverend Dr. Mel White
DIRECTED BY: Daniel Karslake
SYNOPSIS: From critically-acclaimed director/producer Daniel Karslake (the 2007 Oscar-Shortlisted documentary, “For the Bible Tells Me So”) comes a new film, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO, a powerful exploration of the intersection of religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity in America. The documentary spotlights the heartfelt, personal journeys of four families of faith with LGBTQ children: Rob and Linda Robertson whose evangelical church convinced them to put their son in conversion therapy; David and Sally McBride, life-long Presbyterians who were shocked when their youngest son came out to them as a transgender woman; Victor Baez and Annette Febo whose Catholic tradition and Puerto Rican culture made their gay son fearful to admit it out loud; and Harold and Coleen Porcher, mixed-race parents of a non-binary child who suffered self-harm. Internationally renowned religious leaders including Bishop Gene Robinson, Pastor Dr. Delman Coates, Reverend Dr. Jacqui Lewis, and Reverend Cynthia Alice Anderson are also featured; as well as Sarah McBride, the 2020 Delaware Senate candidate who notably addressed the Democratic National Convention in 2016 as the first openly transgender person to do so. Compassionate and insightful, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO offers healing for those caught in the crosshairs between faith and family.
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**WORLD PREMIERE – Tribeca Film Festival**
**INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE – Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival**
**WINNER – AUDIENCE AWARD – OUT ON FILM Atlanta LGBTQ Film Festival**
**WINNER – AUDIENCE AWARD – Desperado LGBTQ Phoenix Film Festival**
**OFFICIAL SELECTION – FRAMELINE: San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival**
**WINNER – YOUNG CRITICS JURY PRIZE – GENDER BENDER Bologna International Film Festival**
**OFFICIAL SELECTION – Heartland Film Festival**
**OFFICIAL SELECTION – BFI FLARE London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival**
**OFFICIAL SELECTION – Montclair Film Festival**
**OFFICIAL SELECTION – OUTFEST: Los Angeles International LGBTQ Film Festival**
**WINNER – AUDIENCE AWARD – Outshine LGBTQ+ Fort Lauderdale Film Festival**
**WINNER – AUDIENCE AWARD – IMAGE OUT Rochester LGBT Film Festival **
**WINNER – AUDIENCE AWARD Seattle Queer Film Festival**
**WINNER – AUDIENCE AWARD – WATCH DOCS International Human Rights Film Festival**