Inspired by actual events, Four Letter Word portrays the struggle of Ken Ryan and his three siblings, when they are faced with the care of their elderly grandmother after the death of a family member. When the Chicago Tribune refuses to print the deceased woman’s death notice—because the Ryan family has included Ken’s spouse, Mark—a legal and social conflict is sparked, examining the definition of ‘family’ and one of the most controversial issues of our time—marriage equality.
This project is based on our actual lawsuit against the Chicago Tribune. The case is one of many untold stories in the fight for gay rights, and part of the history that ultimately led to the legalization of gay marriage. To learn more about this project, please visit the Four Letter Word website.