The Hollywood Outsider – Film and Television Podcast | Reviews An award-winning film and television podcast for the fan in all of us
Mama Bears hits a little close to home as a bisexual woman from a religious family. Having been with women whose families, including parents, were bluntly unaccepting to same-sex couples, I’ve seen the impact that has on someone. In an already isolating experience, feeling unworthy of love by your parents can take one to an emotionally dark place. Yet, what we don’t hear too often about is the parents’ experience. Even more specifically, ones who evolved to a place of love and acceptance once they find out it’s their own child who is gay. These mothers will forever be known as Mama Bears.
Director Daresha Kyi’s selection of mama bears to focus on are those we would least expect to be an advocate. We’re introduced to these women through interviews with them and their children, explaining the religious foundation of their families. We come to know just how important not only their relationship to God is, but their childrens’ too. What is most endearing is that none of these mothers sacrifice their love for religion or God to accept and love their kids. This is such an underrepresented take and I think is necessary for so many to see; that religion and LGBTQIA+ can coexist.
At no point does this documentary come across as preachy or demanding of your agreement, but rather an eye-opening journey of all sides. What began as a few moms exiled from their church, family, and friends for supporting their child(ren) morphs into a Facebook group connecting thousands across the country under the same mission. Seeing these mama bears take such accountability for the way their past actions affected their children provides those watching and afflicted with a comforting hug; the things so many wish their own parents would say about their sexuality, these mama bears are saying. Not only that, they are taking action to encourage society to be more accepting of others.
What’s more, those who are unfamiliar with the struggle of coming out to a religious family, Kyi interjects Tammi’s perspective, as her mother visibly struggles to accept her sexuality as a lesbian. This is where the brunt of emotional distress in Mama Bears comes from because it’s the only of the three stories that doesn’t conclude with full resolution the way we’d expect.
Nonetheless, Mama Bears perseveres as an inspiring film on the LGBTQ experience, filling us with hope that one day, we can all live amongst each other in peace and love. Regardless of religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Follow our further discussion on this and over 25 other film and episodic premieres screened at SXSW 2022 via this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast: