Groundbreaking LGBTQ+ nature documentary narrated by Elliot Page to be screened during Banned Books Week

Actor and LGBTQ+ advocate Elliot Page will take part in a special screening and discussion of the documentary Second Nature next month as part of a campaign challenging censorship of LGBTQ+ voices and supporting queer young people.

The virtual event, taking place on 10 October during Banned Books Week, will feature a screening of the film followed by a live Q&A with Elliot Page, director Drew Denny, evolutionary biologist Dr Joan Roughgarden and the authors of And Tango Makes Three, the frequently challenged children's book about two male penguins raising a chick that is featured in the documentary.

Presented by free expression organisation PEN America, the event will raise funds for the Second Nature impact campaign, which tours the film as a suicide prevention resource for LGBTQ+ youth, particularly in parts of the United States where inclusive education and LGBTQ+ curriculum have been restricted or banned.

Elliot, who narrates the documentary, previously praised the film for challenging misconceptions about sexuality and gender in nature. "I just absolutely loved it," he said. "I loved what I learned, and how much it expanded my thinking, and also how affirming it was as a trans person." 

The actor said learning about the prevalence of same-sex behaviour and gender diversity throughout the animal kingdom helped challenge persistent claims that LGBTQ+ identities are "unnatural", adding: "These are facts. This is science." 

Elliot has also spoken about the impact such knowledge can have on young LGBTQ+ people, saying: "I think it can make people feel less alone." 

All proceeds from the Banned Books Week event will support free screenings and educational initiatives designed to reach young people and communities affected by censorship.

The event follows another high-profile screening of Second Nature scheduled for 1 October at the US Capitol in Washington DC. Tickets for event HERE

Organised by PEN America in partnership with the LGBTQ+ Congressional Staffers Association, the screening will bring together lawmakers, activists and advocates to discuss growing efforts to censor LGBTQ+ stories, books and educational materials.

A panel discussion following the Capitol screening will feature Drew Denny alongside scientists Dr Joan Roughgarden, a trans evolutionary biologist, Dr Joseph Graves and Dr Marcela Benítez, a lesbian evolutionary biologist whose work is featured in the film.

Film Screening: Second Nature

A special Capitol Hill screening of Second Nature, followed by Q&A with the director.

Eventbrite

According to organisers, the Capitol event comes as debates over book bans, LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools and access to information continue to intensify across the United States.

Drew said the film's grassroots impact campaign is focused on ensuring queer young people have access to information, representation and community support, particularly in places where LGBTQ+ topics have been removed from classrooms.

The filmmaker has also said the project has attracted hostility, including death threats linked to the film's subject matter, ahead of its screening for lawmakers and activists in Washington.

Described as a "100% grassroots" initiative, the Second Nature campaign aims to use the documentary as a tool for education, visibility and mental health support. Organisers are also planning a series of virtual screenings throughout December aimed at LGBTQ+ young people who wish to share the film with family members as a way of opening conversations around sexuality and gender identity.

Second Nature explores diversity throughout the natural world, highlighting species that engage in same-sex parenting, same-sex sexual behaviour and sex-changing characteristics while examining what science can teach us about the complexity of life.