Parents' Guide to The Dads

Movie PG-13 2023 11 minutes
The Dads: Three of the five dads who are parents of trans kids, Frank Gonzales, Stephen Chukumba, and Peter Betz

Common Sense Media Review

Sabrina McFarland By Sabrina McFarland , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Dads of LGBTQ+ kids chat in gender-identity docu; language.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

  • The Dads Trailer
  • The Dads: Dennis Shepard, the father of murdered gay college student Matthew Shepard, is seated inside the room of a cabin
  • The Dads: Stephen Chukumba, father of Hobbes, a trans teen and rights advocate, sits inside a cabin room and looks at camera
  • The Dads: Five of the dads, Stephen Chukumba, Frank Gonzales, Jose Trujillo, Peter Betz, and Wayne Maines, sit at a table

Parent and Kid Reviews

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What's the Story?

THE DADS is a short documentary about the five fathers of transgender kids, Stephen Chukumba, Frank Gonzales, Jose Trujillo, Peter Betz, and Wayne Maines, who join Dennis Shepard, dad of murdered gay college student Matthew, on a weekend fishing trip in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. The dads meet and express unconditional love for their children, share family anecdotes, and lend support to each other as the parents of LGBTQ+ kids.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

Filmmaker Luchina Fisher presents a poignant portrait of the candid conversation held by six fathers on being the parent of an LGBTQ+ kid. "I definitely think about my child's safety when he leaves the house," admits Stephen Chukumba about teen son Hobbes in The Dads. "He's a Black trans man in America. It's a constant conversation that I have with myself because I know that all parts of this country are not safe for trans people."

Peter Betz, the father of Samantha, believes "my biggest regret is how I pushed back on my daughter and tried to get her to wear different clothes. It's a guilt I'll probably carry with me for the rest of my life." And adds Dennis Shepard, dad of slain gay college student Matthew, fathers "have that masculine image they want to try and keep up. They have to get out and speak. They have to show people they support their child 100%."

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the courage of the cast in The Dads. How do they also demonstrate empathy, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?

  • What do you think about the dialogue between the dads? Do you consider their communication helpful to each other? Why or why not?

  • Dennis Shepard speaks about the 1998 death of 21-year-old gay son Matthew. Why do you think gender-based crimes against LGBTQ+ kids, teens, and adults continue to persist to this day?

Movie Details

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The Dads: Three of the five dads who are parents of trans kids, Frank Gonzales, Stephen Chukumba, and Peter Betz

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