The collection contains the organizational records of and film and video elements created by GroundSpark, a documentary film company established by Debra Chasnoff. GroundSpark's educational films often address subjects of human rights and sexuality.

Debra Chasnoff (1957-2017) was an Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker and producer whose educational films promoted greater tolerance for gays and lesbians. She was president of GroundSpark, a nonprofit company whose Respect For All Project distributes films and companion educational guides for classroom discussion. Chasnoff's first film was "Choosing Children" (1984) and was co-produced with Kim Klausner, her partner at the time. The film profiled six same-sex couples who were raising children. Chasnoff's documentary short "Deadly Deception: General Electric, Nuclear Weapons and Our Environment" won an Academy Award in 1992. She is probably best known for the films "It's Elementary: Talking About Gay Issues in School" (1996) and "That's A Family" (2000). Other films produced and/or directed by Chasnoff include: "Straightlaced: How Gender's Got Us All Tied Up" (2009), "Let's Get Real" (2003) about bullying, "One Wedding and a Revolution" (2004) about the legalization of same-sex marriage, and "Celebrating the Life of Del Martin" (2011) about lesbian activist Del Martin.

33 cartons (33 cubic feet) of records + approximately 1,259 film and video elements.

Copyright retained by GroundSpark.

UNARRANGED COLLECTION. Closed for research. Contact Hormel LGBTQIA Center archivist for more information.