GLBT-RT

From Iowa and Vermont's legalization of gay marriage to the buzz around Prop 8, Women Make Movies, a leading non-profit distributor of independent film, is making an unprecedented special offer to encourage dialogue around this pressing issue:

Free rentals on 3 same-sex marriage films in our catalog to community organizations, educators and cultural institutions from now until May 30, 2009.

For a limited time, the filmmakers of these films are donating their screening fees so that any organization, school or library who wishes to host a free public screening to talk about the issue can do so for free. In addition, Women Make Movies is offering an additional 50% discount on all LGBTQ titles from our Transcending Gender Collection with this special.

The time is now to raise awareness and increase movement around this important topic – make a difference today with the use of these moving films on same-sex marriage:

In Sickness and in Health - view trailer
In My Father's Church
My Sister, My Bride

What we’re asking you to do:

1. RENT these films for free! Great for classroom and programmatic settings.

2. PUBLISH this special as a news item on your website or blog [with the option to embed the In Sickness and in Health trailer]

3. FORWARD this message to your listservs, colleagues, and friends

Please let me know which action steps you are able to take, as I look forward to our collaboration!

Many thanks,

Liza Brice
Outreach Coordinator
Women Make Movies
212.925.0606 x318
lbrice@wmm.com
www.wmm.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Prop 8 Special Offer: Free rentals on same-sex marriage films from WMM. Plus 50% off the Transcending Gender Collection.

*Customers must prepay shipping costs on free rentals with MC or VISA.*

FREE RENTALS ON THESE INSIGHTFUL FILMS

* In Sickness and in Health - A battle to legalize same-sex marriage turns into a race against time and a fatal illness for Marilyn Maneely and Diane Marini in this poignant award-winning film that puts a real human face on the often abstract debate surrounding rights and equality for all Americans. View trailer

* In My Father's Church - Compelling and honest, the story of Charissa and her hope to be married in her pastor father's Methodist church, is a touching exploration of the intersection of homosexuality and religion, from the perspective of someone who has much at stake.

* My Sister My Bride - When San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom orders the County Clerk to begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses, Farell and Caren, a loving lesbian couple, embark on a historic journey from Nevada, with baby in tow, to be married at San Francisco City Hall in a civil ceremony.

Also save 50% on any titles from WMM's Transcending Gender Collection.

Includes new release Searching 4 Sandeep, the hilarious and moving The Lost Tribe, the Gemini Award winning Girl Inside and the powerful Boy I Am, among others. This extraordinary collection offers important titles for anyone seeking to better understand gender issues today.

To place your order for any of these vital films, please contact us today at orders@wmm.com or call 212.925.0606 x360. Mention promo code: EQUALITY09.

Please note that the free rental offer is only available to institutional and educational customers. Customers are required to prepay shipping costs for free rentals with MC or VISA. This offer expires on May 30, 2009. Sorry, this promotion is not available with online orders.

RENT TO OWN
Like something so much you want to keep it? Anyone who rents one of the above films also gets the original rental price of $60-$90 off the purchase price of any film they wish to keep.

About WMM:

Women Make Movies (WMM) is the world's leading distributor of independent films by and about women. For the third year in a row, films from WMM took home top prizes at Sundance. Rough Aunties, Kim Longinotto's newest, won the World Cinema Jury Prize in Documentary, and The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo won the Special Jury Prize in Documentary last year. The WMM collection is used by thousands of educational, cultural, and community organizations across North America. WMM also helps women filmmakers realize their film productions with its unique Production Assistance Program, which offers filmmakers nonprofit tax exempt status, consultations and workshops.

GENERAL ORDERING INFORMATION

Online: www.wmm.com

By Phone:
212.925.0606 x360
(For orders paid by Visa or MasterCard only.)

By Email: orders@wmm.com

By Mail or Fax:
Women Make Movies
Email Orders Department
462 Broadway, Suite 500E
New York, NY 10013
Fax: 212.925.2052

Learn More

ACLU GLBT Project
10 Couples - a joint project of Public Interest and ACLU
Freedom to Marry website

Women Make Movies • 462 Broadway #500 • New York, NY 10013

Ten More Good Years. Dir. Michael Jacoby. Perf. Harry Bartron, James Bidgood, Ivy Bottini, et al. LookOut Films, 2008. 71 minutes. $19.95 for home use; $125.00 for community groups & nonprofits (public libraries, community centers, high schools); $295.00 for institutions (colleges, universities, nursing homes, hospitals)

I blew the house up trying to get out of that closet! There's no more closet because there's no more house!

The spirit of the Stonewall Riots is beautifully captured in the stories of Miss Major and other LGBT people in Michael Jacoby’s loving documentary, Ten More Good Years. That spirit, and the people who embody it, stand in sharp contrast to a sad reality: elder services in America are not hospitable to LGBT people. Based on assumptions of heterosexuality, discrimination is often rampant in institutions that provide care for the elderly, forcing many LGBT people to hide their orientation from care providers.

Jacoby, his crew, and the subjects of the film illustrate all the barriers this population faces. Considered as a group, LGBT elders must contend with many unique challenges as they age, often in isolation, without families, spouses, or children. Trans people are particularly at risk, as laws and policies of states and care agencies do not consider gender identity and expression.

Moreover, while often very well educated, many LGBT elders chose work that was LGBT-affirming but not lucrative. Add to that burden, the inability to receive a deceased partner’s pension or social security survivor benefits, as well as discriminatory tax laws, and it is easy to see how our elders can easily become destitute.

Highly recommended to anyone interested in retirement, elder care, and/or equal rights protection for LGBT people.

Reviewed by David S. Vess
Visiting IMLS Portal Librarian & Assistant
Professor of Library Administration

Baim, Tracy. Gay Games VII: Where the World Meets: Chicago 2006. Chicago: Windy City Media Group, 2007. paperback. 206p.

Beam, Jeffrey. The Beautiful Tendons: Uncollected Queer Poems, 1969-2007. Brooklyn: White Crane Books, 2008. paperback. 132p. ISBN: 9781590211021.

Brannen, Sarah S. Uncle Bobby's Wedding. New York: G. P. Putnams' Sons, 2008. paperback. $15.99. ISBN: 9780399247125.

Brooks, Adrian. Flights of Angels: My Life with the Angels of Light. Vancouver: Arsenal Pulp Press, 2008. hardcover. 224p. ISBN: 978-1551522319.

Buchanan, James. The Good Thief. Albion: MLR Press, 2008. paperback. 229p. $14.99. ISBN: 9781934531440.

Davidson, James. The Greeks and Greek Love: A Radical Reappraisal of Homosexuality in Ancient Greece. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2007. hardcover. 656p. ISBN: 9780297819974.

DeSimone, Lewis. Chemistry. Maple Shade, NJ: Lethe Press, 2008. paperback. 256p. $18.00. ISBN: 9781590211571.

For the Bible Tells Me So. Dir. Daniel G. Karslake. Atticus Group/VisionQuest Productions, 2007.

In Good Conscience: Sister Jeannine Gramick’s Journey of Faith. Dir. Barbara Rick. Out of the Blue Films, Inc., 2006.

Johnson, Troy. Family Outing: What Happened When I Found Out My Mother Was Gay. New York: Arcade Publishing, 2008. hardcover. 256p. ISBN: 9781559708715.

Kelly, Christopher. A Push and a Shove. New York: Alyson Books, 2007. paperback. 312p. $14.95. ISBN: 9781593500481.

Kundtz, David J. and Bernard S. Schlager. Ministry Among God’s Queer Folk: LGBT Pastoral Care. Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry Ser. Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2007. paperback. 242p. ISBN: 9780829817065.

Lynch, Lee, Nel Ward, and Sue Hardesty, eds. the butch cook book. Newport, OR: TRP Cookbooks, 2008. paperback. 216p. $18.95. ISBN: 9780979270109.

Maguire, Daniel C., and Sa’diyya Shaikh, eds. Violence Against Women in Contemporary World Religion: Roots And Cures. Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2007. hardcover. 248p. $60.00. ISBN: 9780829817676.

Maltese, William, and Wayne Gunn. Ardennian Boy. Albion, NY: MLR Press, 2007. hardcover. 236p. ISBN: 9780979311031.

Michaelson, Jay. Another Word for Sky: Poems. Maple Shade, NJ: Lethe Press, 2007. paperback. 104p. ISBN: 9781590210611.

Owensby, J. Jackson. Deliberate Indifference: A Gay Man’s Maltreatment by the U.S. Department of Justice: The story of Chris Wehner: As told to: J. Jackson Owensby. 2nd ed. Kernersville, N.C.: A-Argus Better Book Publishers, 2008. hardcover. 293p. ISBN: 9780980155518.

Philips, A. A. If You Believe in Mermaids… Don’t Tell. Indianapolis: Dog Ear Publishing, 2007. paperback. 150p. $12.95. ISBN: 9781598583595.

Pomfret, Scott. Since My Last Confession: A Gay Catholic Memoir. New York: Arcade Publishing, 2008. hardcover. 312p. ISBN: 9781559708692.

Prism Comics: Your LGBT Guide to Comics #5. 2008 ed. Atlanta: Prism Comics, 2008. paperback. 160p. ISBN: 9780975916438.

Revoyr, Nina. The Age of Dreaming. New York: Akashic Books, 2008. paperback. 320p. ISBN: 9781933354460.

Stevenson, Richard. Death Vows. A Donald Strachey Mystery Ser. Albion, NY: MLR Press, 2008. paperback. 198p. ISBN: 9784934531334.

Wallace, Kim. Senior Year at Foresthill High. Erik & Isabelle Ser. 4. Sacramento: Foglight Press, 2007. paperback. 220p. $12.00. ISBN: 9780975584835.

Young, Bo, and Dan Vera, eds. A Prophet in His Own Land: A Malcolm Boyd Reader: Selected Writings 1950-2007. White Crane Wisdom Ser. Brooklyn: White Crane Books, 2008. library binding. 330p. ISBN: 9781590211922.

Reeling: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival is the second oldest film festival of its kind in the US and prides itself on showcasing the best LGBT films and videos each and every year. From award-winning international feature films to social documentaries to experimental shorts (and, this year, music videos), Reeling has always presented a range of genres that demonstrate the rich diversity of work being produced. One of the most important cultural events for Chicagoans, it also attracts LGBT people from throughout the Midwest who consider the festival to be the highlight of their cinematic year.
Reeling 2008 presented 77 programs over 11 days from November 6-16. GLBTRT members John Bradford and Tracy Nectoux checked out 3 films together on Saturday, November 15.

• The New Twenty
  Directed by Chris Mason Johnson
  Los Angeles: Serious Productions, 2008,
  92 min

  JB: There were two gay characters, out of the five principals, but they seemed peripheral to the plot. Tony, the gay brother of the female lead, found a love interest in a taciturn poz professor; Ben was a bearish amiable loser led on by friends and potential hook-ups alike. The real winning character, though, was the female lead, Julie, as she made her way through a series of love triangles to an independent life. This is a GLBT-accepting movie most libraries could stock without protest but it doesn’t challenge the viewer, either.
  TN: The New Twenty is probably one of the best films devoted to the trials and tribulations of beautiful, self-absorbed, upper-middle-class young adults I’ve seen in a while. It hearkens my old-lady self back to St. Elmo’s Fire. And I mean that in a good way. This film is well-acted and directed. The story is compelling and I found myself hoping that everyone I cared about would have happy endings.
  But that’s the rub: Of the movie’s eight characters, I only really cared about two of them (just like with St. Elmo’s Fire). And—frustratingly enough—these are the characters who get the least attention. Or, to be fair, it’s their relationship that gets the shaft (and I don’t mean that in a good way).
  Because, see, The New Twenty doesn’t treat physical affection between its couples equally. This movie’s story is a quasi-love triangle between Julie, her angsty ex-boyfriend, and her new dickhead fiancé. And my two favorite characters? They’re the film’s gay couple: Julie’s adorable brother Tony and his new Professor/HIV+ boyfriend (Matt). However, while we get “grindy” sex scenes between Julie and dickhead (including nudity) and an achingly erotic moment between angsty ex-boyfriend and his one night stand, we never see even a single kiss between Tony and his professor. This is jarring and slightly insulting, especially at a lesbian & gay film festival. Having said that, while Tony and Matt are “sexless,” they do share the film’s most romantic moment. Indeed, they are the only stable, loving, mature relationship in the entire film.
  I recommend The New Twenty for its acting and interesting story, but—as I bitched to John for a good ten minutes after it was over—it really shouldn’t have been included in this festival’s lineup. 15+

• 3Way
  Produced and directed by Mary Lou Belli, Robert Ben Garant, Courtney Rowe, Nancylee Myatt, Paige Bernhardt.
  Los Angeles: 3Way, 2008, 70 min

  JB: I was one of about a dozen men in the audience for this show but I was glad I went! Billed as the hottest lesbian comedy not on TV, this was a series of several hilarious sketch comedy webisodes about a straight, washed-up diva who invites a friend to move in, and the friend brings along her girlfriend, and the girlfriend has an oddball ex (who has a stalker) semi-permanently sleeping over. The episode I liked best was “The Dinah Monologues”, but the whole show was fantastic. There’s no nudity but lots of sexual situations and innuendo, so check out www.3waytv.tv before buying for your library. And watch for the forthcoming 3Way DVD!
  TN: This film—actually a type of sketch comedy—is extremely sexy and hysterically funny. The four comediennes (Maeve Quinlan, Jill Bennett, Cathy Shim, and Maile Flanagan) are excellent, and possess both impressive comic timing and obvious chemistry with each other. All four are gorgeous, hot, and brilliant performers. There are very few male actors in 3Way (maybe three?), but those who are included make excellent use of their short time on-screen.
  These women are true professional comediennes and the writing is irreverent, riotous, and smart. Considering the vapid crap that passes for “comedy” these days, it’s a shame their work is relatively unknown.
  3Way contains a 19-minute opener that deserves mention: "Human Potential" (written and directed by Christin Baker; Chicago: Tello, 2008). This sketch presents Alison’s first day on the job at a dysfunctional non-profit devoted to advancing athletic opportunities for young girls. Alison is gay and watching her maneuver through conversation after conversation devoted to her “single status” is both hilarious and surprisingly touching. You can watch Human Potential at www.tellofilms.com. 15+

• 3-Day Weekend
  Written and directed by Rob Williams.
  Los Angeles: Guest House Films, 2008,
  84 min.
  JB: We finished our run at Piper’s Alley with this cross between Love! Valour! Compassion! and The Big Chill. Two gay couples head off to a cabin in the woods; each person brings along a gay single friend to spice things up. Clichés abound, from the leather daddy and his boy to the loopy nude yoga coach to the grizzled hustler, and more—but this movie acknowledged the stereotypes and played off them to show the vulnerability and humanity of each character. The movie could have used a little more cutting and the ending was tepid. Some nudity but nothing blatant or gratuitous; libraries with established GLBT feature film collections would want this.
  TN: After the teasing I subjected John to during 3Way, he got to give me good payback during this film: I believe I was the only person with ovaries in the entire theater. 3-Day Weekend contains not one female character, not even, say, a waitress or nagging mother. Not one. But, honestly, I didn’t even realize this until the film was over. It’s just that enjoyable.
  Yes, yes, John is correct that it’s a Big Chill knock-off with noticeably clichéd characters. But, hey, clichés exist for reason, no? In Three-Day Weekend we have: the May/December romance; the hustler-with-a-heart-of-gold; the I-can’t-be-monogamous-no-no-never guy; the unapologetic-slut-who’ll-never-settle-down guy; the guy-who-was-bashed-and-disowned-but-didn’t-let-it-change-him, who then falls in love with:; the skinny-shy-bookish-lonely-non-poster-boy; and, finally, the perfect-but-getting-older-why-isn’t-he-loved? guy.
  And still, with all of these clichés, this movie worked for me. There wasn’t a single unlikable or one-dimensional character. Rob Williams managed to write characters and dialog that—if not transcendent of the clichés—at least work well within the structure of the story. Indeed, as John mentions, one of the most enjoyable scenes is one in which they have a discussion of the pros and cons of gay films “then and now,” which becomes surreal as you become aware that they’re also commenting on the very movie we’re watching (freaky!). The dialog is smart, interesting, and never boring.
  John is correct that the ending is lazy. His description, “tepid,” is spot on.
  This film has full frontal nudity (“nothing blatant,” John?? Is it just my imagination, or did I not see asses and dicks everywhere!?), but sex is treated responsibly and is never exploitative. I recommend Three-Day Weekend for 17+