The Adventures of Marina the Monk [Movie Transcript]

Miranda: A long a time ago, in Bitnia--that's in Asia Minor--there was a man who had a daughter named Mary. And one day this man's wife passed away. And he told Mary, "Listen, I want to renounce all worldly things, enter a monastery, and end my life there." And Mary wanted to go with him, but she couldn't because she was a girl and they didn't allow girls in the monastery obviously. But she persisted. So her father had her hair shaved and she dressed up like a boy and went with him. And there she took the name, Marina.


Miranda: She stayed there a number of years and she gathered a lot of learning. She had a reputation for being very obedient and pious and doing lots of good work like healing people. Therefore, one day the Abbot sends Marina to an inn. The innkeeper's daughter, who's already pregnant by some other soldier, blames her pregnancy on Marina.

When her father, the Innkeeper, finds out, he's furious and he goes to the monastery and tells the Abbot, "Look! This monk who's supposedly so pious , he impregnated my daughter!" "What kind of establishment are you running here?" is basically what he says. The Abbot is also furious and he summons Marina and asks him to explain himself. And Marina simply throws himself on the ground and says, "Forgive me, I have committed a horrible transgression." The Abbot kicks him out of the monastery; Marina waits outside the gate and just sets up there.

After the baby is born, the Innkeeper comes and just deposits the baby in front of him and says, "This is the product of your wickedness! Go ahead and raise it!" And Marina does.

Marina's out there for three years. And the monks are very sorry to see their comrade, Marina, out there. They go to the Abbot and say, "How can we just walk right by him without taking pity on him? This is horrible. Let him back in! This has just been too much punishment." The Abbot lets Marina back in. Marina returns to the monastery with the baby and she remains there for the rest of her life. And eventually, she passes away.


When her body is being prepared for burial, they undress the corpse and find out that she's a woman. And they're very amazed and shocked by this. Immediately, the Abbot begs God for forgiveness. He summons the Innkeeper and says, "Look! Your daughter could not have been made pregnant by this man because this man is NOT a man!" The Innkeeper is also very repentant.

So, everything gets sorted out. And Marina, or Mary, is buried with all respect and honor in the monastery.

Sorry, I'm Not LIKE THAT! [Movie Transcript]

Miranda: So... I'm sort of Out of the Closet, but not really. It's kind of difficult to be fully Out, I guess, because of my family. I'm not sure how they would take it. I tried twice. And both times, I was shot down pretty quickly.

The first time, my mother said, "Oh, you know, it's just a phase. Don't worry about it." So I just said, "Oh, yeah. Yeah, it's... just a phase."

And then the second time I tried to be more serious about it. I said, "Mom, listen. There's a girl I like. We have a relationship." And then, I remember, she reached her hands over the counter and took my hands in hers and said, very seriously, "Honey, I think you're possessed by demons." Which struck me as odd because, well, I go to church more than she does.

And I grappled with it at first but I'm totally comfortable with my sexual orientation now and... I don't know. So, I didn't again after that.

But for some reason, I felt more comfortable Coming Out to my school. So I think, most of my school, at least most of the teachers know, but not my family. And here at the college, well, only a small group of people, meaning the ALLiES, know because I'm not really comfortable letting other people know just yet because I usually try to gauge how they feel first, before I actually say anything.

...Though there was one guy who, I guess, was coming on to me. He wanted to start a relationship and I said, "Sorry, I'm like that." (laughs) So, he backed off but he's cool about it. We're friends.

I DON'T DO PHYSICAL INTIMACY: I Seriously Plan To Become A Nun (Miranda) [DELETED SCENE]

I fully support marriage equality, but I don't plan on getting married. I don't really... I don't know. I'm not really into relationships because I have a weird attitude, meaning I'm not a very physical person, so I don't think I'd be able to handle that sort of relationship requirement, I guess.

I love children, but I don't plan on having any of my own, so I'll probably end up teaching... Actually, to be honest, I want to become a nun, which may seem odd but that's something I've wanted to do for years. Yeah... so... Marriage and children are not for me.

DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL: Initially It Was A Progressive Step... Now It's A Joke (Katelin)

1: I would never join any branch of the military whether I were straight or gay. It’s just not my thing; I don't like war. But to comment on that “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy... its completely disgusting that such an act of discrimination has been in force for as many years as it has. At the time, it was a progressive step... but now it’s a joke. "they", whoever "they" are, say soldiers knowing that fellow members are gay will cause a break in unity. This being the case, I applaud any Gay or Lesbian person who is strong enough to withhold their preference, simply to appease the homophobes. That is true dedication to one's country.

2: I went to catholic school for 13 years and it’s not the reason I am an atheist. I was always taught that God is cool with the gays as long as we don't "act" on our urges. It just doesn't add up to me, not that much religion (especially catholic) does add up in my mind. I think if I were religious enough to want to devote my life to god, my sexuality would not hinder my decision. If I was devout, I would truly believe god loves me not for who I lay next to in bed, but the intentions I have of being a morally upstanding citizen staying true to commandments of God... and true ones, not the radical, misinterpreted passages many use against homosexuals.

THE MILITARY IS CHARACTER-BUILIDING: But I'm Not As Strong As Others (Mark)

I would consider joining the military as long as I didn't have to go to war. It would be more for character- and bodybuilding. I would join whether the policy was in place or not because a simple policy will not change the way the majority of the military views the GLBT community. I do not come from a military family and I think it is very heroic of people who come out after their military experience. I could not imagine living a lie throughout my time in the military, but if I really wanted to be in the armed forces, I would sadly choose not to disclose my sexual orientation because I am not as strong as others. Ideally, the general public would not view GLBT persons as sexaholics who cannot control themselves in the homoerotic environment of the military.

I would never be a priest. First of all, I was raised Lutheran and not Catholic. Second, church is more of a personal environment than the military and my personal life may be more open in a religious setting where I am the head of the services. I'm not sure what God's views are actually because so many different viewpoints are out there and it is difficult to figure out which one to believe. People should definitely try to cut down on sinning, not the sinners. No, I would not apply for any faith based position because that is not my interest and I would not feel comfortable as a gay male.

I WOULD JOIN THE ARMY: If I Actually Believed There Were Legitimate Reasons For Fighting (James)

As long as the United States is caught up in unjust warfare around the world, I won't even consider enlisting. However, I will try my best to still support the soldiers, because it's not their fault; they're just doing their job, which is to follow orders.

If the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy was repealed AND if I was 100% sure that we were fighting the correct enemy, then of course, I would want to protect and defend my country. My grandfather, father and some of his brothers, were members of the U.S. Army, but members of my father's generation have drawn parallels between the current situation and the ridiculous Vietnam War, and they've convinced me to avoid the military even more.

I think it's extremely heroic and admirable to see soldiers serving their time and then, coming out of the closet not much later. The fact that they not only fought in the military but that they SURVIVED, shows that gays & lesbians are just as capable on the battlefield, and if GLBT individuals are willing to enlist, then why make them hide their sexual identities?

I could never be an official in a religion which viewed homosexuality as a sin. However, I could understand how some GLBT people would want to show their devotion to God. I admire them for having their own interpretation of God's message, instead of bowing down to a holy institution (eg. the Vatican).

Back in high school, a few of my Catholic friends back home were very friendly with openly-gay students, and they would always say, "Hate the sin, not the sinner," as if they were being profound. It doesn't come out and say it, but it implies that you should hate an essential part of someone: his/her sexuality. It's like saying, "I don't hate YOU personally... I just hate that you date members of your own sex." It's very confusing and hypocritical if you ask me.

Even though I'm not a fan of any organized religion, I would love to embrace my spirituality, express my devotion to a higher power, and train for a position in a Pagan (nature-based worship/ritual) sect.

BEFORE I WAS A BULL: I Was A Ballerina (Katelin)

When I was younger, I use to dance... Laugh it up, but I was a ballerina. Anyway, I had crushes on the older girls. I still remember the three of them. Four actually, but I certainly had a crush on all four of them. I didn’t know what it was; I was 5 years old. I thought they were soooooo cool and always wanted to be around them. After that, my first girlfriend was in 4th grade. It’s kinda crazy, but we were little bad kids running around doing things we probably shouldn’t.

I went to Catholic school my whole life, and God Hates Gays is basically what I was taught. No No, I stand corrected. God hates the ACTIONS, not the person. Big deal, so I can be a lesbian but can never look at a woman in that way.... Not gonna happen, pal, sorry! I went through my “Bi phase” in HS because "I noticed beautiful people, male or female." It never hit me that I NEVER thought a boy was beautiful, never had crushes on boys, but I certainly did on girls. College made me be more open with myself and I fully came out to myself first, then everyone else.

Now, I feel like my "obviousness" helps me not have to have that awkward "Hey. I'm gay" talk. If you can't tell, then it’s your loss.

And, no, I haven't questioned my sexuality since I've come out. I don't need to. All my good friends from home say to me that they've never seen me happier since I've been with girls. This is who I am, like it or love it!

RAISED CATHOLIC: I'm Now An Atheist (Katelin)

I grew up Catholic. From kindergarten to 12th grade, I went to Catholic school. Tell me that shit didn't mess with my head!

Today, I'm an atheist. I have a better time believing we are some alien science project than there is some dude looming over us watching and knowing everything we do. But of course, I don’t believe the alien thing either.

I hate religion. Religion was needed when fire couldn't be explained, and people needed to believe there is something out there after they died.

I've created my own spiritual views... do good and good will come to you. I don’t follow any one religion. I follow common sense.

GOD LOVES US ALL: I Hate When People Harm Others In God's Name (Adaeze)

I was raised Catholic and will start attending church regularly again. I'm a Christian, I believe in God, but I don't believe in a lot of Christian ideology, especially with the treatment of homosexuals and so on. I do know deep down in my heart that God loves us all and created us purposefully. I hate when people use God's name for war or say that whatever they are doing (no matter how wrong it is) God is backing them up. I know God is just ROTFL-ing.

I would marry someone of a different religion because the core of all religions are the same. I want to study as many religions as possible so I can fully understand them. The only religion I don't like is Satanism. I know it is about thinking about only yourself but I'm a put-others-before-yourself kind of person and I couldn't deal with such an idea.

UNWAVERING FAITH IN GOD: I'm More Religious Than My Family (Miranda)

I was baptized a Roman Catholic and I'm still going strong. My family is sort of religious; we'd go to church when I was younger, and I went through the standard First Communion and Confirmation classes. After my younger brother went through that, my family stopped going to church, though both my parents still profess to be Catholics. So somehow I'm now more religious than they are -- I'm the only one who attends church regularly. Weird how that turned out.

Of course, Catholicism is well-known for not being too friendly to homosexuality -- the whole thing about marriage being a sacred bond between a man and a woman and all that. Homosexuality is viewed as something unnatural because sex is for the purposes of procreation. (I disagree, of course, but I'm still Catholic.) The Church does say, however, that prejudice against homosexuals is wrong.

So even though my views about homosexuality are unorthodox as far as the Church is concerned, my religion is still a huge and very important part of my life. Prayers, church, and so on. I strive for religion without the hypocrisy and proselytization. I stand by what I believe and don't compromise. (Or, at least, I hope I don't.)

I don't care if my partner shares my religious beliefs or not. What matters most to me is that she is open-minded -- that she isn't bothered by my religious quirks and that, if she is non-religious or of a different faith, she doesn't try to convert me to her own beliefs (or lack thereof).

JAN BRADY SYNDROME: They Wouldn't Listen to Me (Miranda)

There are five people in my family: my parents, my older brother (25), me, and my younger brother (15). I'm really, really close to my parents (my Dad especially) and my younger brother.

As the middle child and only girl, I sometimes feel like I need to be a role model for my younger brother but avoid the mistakes my older brother has made. My parents would love for me to have children, so my decision to tell them I want to be a nun did not go over so well as I hoped.

I haven't come out to my family yet. Well, not fully. There were two points where I came out, was confronted with my mother's denial and father's grief, and then immediately retreated back into the closet. It's awful because I confide a lot in my younger brother and in my Dad, but I can't muster the courage to say anything about my sexual orientation. (For some reason, I feel like my older brother would be the most accepting, even though I'm not especially close to him.)

I won't even mention what happened the first time I tried to come out. The second time, though, my mother (who is the one I told) said, "Oh, it's just a phase", but then began to pin my friends and my school as the reasons. She correctly guessed the identity of my girlfriend at the time and threatened that I would never see her again, and that she would pull me out of my school immediately and send me to public school. Then, one day she said she told my father about it, and that he cried.

I'm afraid of what might happen if I try a third time. I mean, if they don't like the idea of my becoming a nun, imagine how they'll react if I say, "I'm a lesbian!" I remember my mother said something about women once and gave me what I thought was a knowing look, but I may have been imagining it. I don't know when I'll be able to tell them, or if I will be able to. I just don't know what to do. :(

COMING TO AMERICA: From Nigeria to B*More (Adaeze)

Yo, MD peeps! I grew up in Baltimore County but more like the city. I currently live in Nottingham, it's between Perry Hall and Fullerton. I was born in Nigeria and live there until I was three. My dad came over to the US to do his residency and set up everything so my mum and I can come over. We lived very close to the city until my father died when I was 4 going on 5 then we moved to Nottingham and I've lived there for 14 years and going (until I find my own place).

The Nottingham / Perryhall / Fullerton area is basically a Wal-Mart, Giant, some other stores, and fast food joints kind of place. Nothing to do except go to White Marsh mall.

There isn't much of a gay community but I knew some older gay people.

I went to private school all my life. The topic of homosexuality was never really brought up until high school. I went to an all-girls prep school and to me even though the school seemed conservative being a Catholic all-girls' school, it was somewhat liberal in that there were three lesbian teachers. They weren't open about it but they never really hid the fact that they were gay.

I remember one incident when a nun decided to become an “ex-nun,” or whatever the proper term is, because she used the Church to hide her homosexuality and she wanted to be more open about. She resigned because I believe my school was going to fire her because having an openly gay nun at an all girls’ school? Scandalous!

To me, the majority of the school population was pro-gay everything or didn't care because it wasn't affecting them.

Outside of school, I didn't know how accepting people were because there are still racist people who live around my area but they're all on the down low.

I'm neither proud nor embarrassed about my hometown, which is an hour and some change away from Gettysburg.

When I came to Gettysburg, I felt more comfortable not just with my sexuality but with myself as a whole. My family is very boring, and at Gettysburg I can do so many exciting things.

When I visit home, everything goes back to the way it was pre-Gettysburg. I do nothing but watch my family do nothing.

I'm not out to anyone within my family but my mum and my sister. I don't remember if I told my brothers but the oldest wouldn't care because he respects everyone but the younger thinks the "gays" are yucky. I'm still working on getting him to see the light.

Same situation at Gettysburg. I tell people if they ask me but I haven't told a lot of people.