Trained in the Ways of Men showed on June 16th at the Castro Theater. The Castro is a beautifully restored, old fashioned theater. It is truly like the ones I remember when I was a kid. It holds 1400 people. The audience that day was really into the movie. They would clap when something was said that they really agreed with. There was hissing when Michael Magidson (defendant) reads his response to the verdict. “You will never break my spirit”. It is sad to see him unrepentant. You really feel like he is so detached from how people feel about what he did that he still does not think he did anything wrong. I am a believer that people do make mistakes and that they can change, but I don’t see any willingness to change or understanding in Magidson. He is a very dangerous man and needs to remain in jail. Jose Merel on the other hand has expressed remorse. He has apologized to the family and it is obvious that he knows he did something wrong. He needs to pay the price for what he has done but there is hope for him.
There is incredible support for the family and the issues in this movie. I have received hundreds of emails and many festival invites. Sylvia Guerrero, Gwen Araujo’s mother, was at the showing. She was given a standing ovation. In fact at every showing of this movie we have both received standing ovations. The showing was sponsored by the Transgender Law Center and the Community United Against Violence. I thank everyone for their support.
There is incredible support for the family and the issues in this movie. I have received hundreds of emails and many festival invites. Sylvia Guerrero, Gwen Araujo’s mother, was at the showing. She was given a standing ovation. In fact at every showing of this movie we have both received standing ovations. The showing was sponsored by the Transgender Law Center and the Community United Against Violence. I thank everyone for their support.
