Belcourt Screening of TWO: The Story of Roman and Nyro Benefits Abintra

Many parents decide to document the birth and childhoods of their children through home movies to share with their families. Nashville couple and Abintra parents Curtis Shaw and Desmond Child decided to share their experience with the world. On Tuesday, May 13th at the Belcourt theater, Nashvillians will be able to experience it, too. 

Desmond, Angela, and Curtis with Roman and Nyro at Desmond and Curtis' New York wedding

The Shaw-Child family tale is not the most traditional one. While many may recognize legendary songwriter Desmond Child's name (known especially for hits such as Livin' on a Prayer, Dude (Looks Like a Lady),  and Livin' La Vida Loca), that's not the reason they feel their story is share-worthy. Many years ago, the couple met and connected with close friend Angela Whittaker, and the three of them decided that Angela would carry their twin sons, Roman and Nyro. Twelve years later, the documentary TWO: The Story of Roman and Nyro was born. This very personal and touching film documents the family's experience from preconception through the boys' first 10 years, and features clips from home movies as well as heartfelt interviews with Desmond, Curtis, Angela, and the boys about the process and their journey. The result? A film that captures that love - not a traditional mom-dad pairing or a typical birth experience - makes a family. 

While the film shows how tight-knit the Shaw-Childs' family life is at home, it's clear that they have found another kind of family in the Abintra community. Roman and Nyro started at Abintra in Early Childhood in 2007, and will be entering Middle School this fall. "The boys have grown up at Abintra," said Curtis. "Abintra has provided the boys a safe place to grow roots strong enough to anchor them as they begin to fly into teenage years. We could not have asked for a better, more beautiful and peaceful place for the boys to grow and learn."

Above: Nyro (left) and Roman work with Montessori materials at Abintra in 2007 

Abintra has worked to ensure an environment where all families can feel safe and accepted by participating in opportunities that provide support to families with same-sex heads-of-households. In 2008, Abintra received a grant from the Brooks Fund (an LGBT-focused fund under the Community Foundation) to start a Family Diversity Initiative, which addressed diversity and acceptance both in family configurations and in individuals by providing education to staff and parents around language regarding two-mom and two-dad family configurations. Children's books that promoted diverse families like And Tango Makes Three were introduced into the classrooms, and students expressed what made their families unique through art projects, storytelling, and sharing special traditions. Curtis sat on Abintra's Diversity Committee through the whole process. 

 

A student's family drawing as a part of the Family Diversity Initiative in 2008

Abintra continues to maintain an inclusive environment by updating its diversity library, teaching an inclusive Human Growth and Development curriculum, and having conversations with Upper Elementary students around The Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Education Network's (GLSEN) days of action like Ally Week and No Name-Calling Week. The Shaw-Childs have remained an active presence in offering input and support during these initiatives.

Abintra Upper Elementary students created posters promoting diversity and acceptance of the LGBT community during GLSEN Ally Week

Nashvillians will have the opportunity to experience TWO: The Story of Roman and Nyro for themselves during The Belcourt's special screening of the film on Tuesday, May 13th at 6:30 PM. The screening will benefit Abintra, as well as PFLAG Nashville and Jewish Family Service of Nashville - all organizations that have embraced, supported, and taught about fairness, equality, and diversity in the Middle Tennessee area. A Q&A session will follow the screening, as well as an acoustic performance of the film's theme song Make it Love performed by The Hummons, featuring Levi Hummon (a former Abintra student!).  

For more information and to purchase tickets for the upcoming Belcourt screening event, click here!