The films of Reel Affirmations 17 break down
the sometimes unintentional segregation
of men’s and women’s programming

When we use the term GLBT community it is often meant in the truest sense of the word—“community” with a common trait that a group of people share.  In this case—embracing our sexuality in all of its wonderful and varied nuances.   We are fighting the same fight and working together as one to push for what we know and believe is right. 

Often LGBT film festivals, unwittingly separate the G from the T, the L from the G, the T from the B, and so on.  This year we have made a concerted effort to bring you programming that truly appeals to our community as a whole, bringing you into the same theater at the same time to for a shared experience. We are not talking just about gay or lesbian films that might have a general appeal to the opposite side, but films that contain both gay and lesbian characters in major roles or as major subjects.

In one of the prime examples of gays and lesbians uniting is Out at the Wedding (detailed synopsis).  The film takes the “fag hag” character and turns it upside down and inside out by reversing the sex. At her sisters wedding Alex is accidentally outed as a lesbian (which she isn’t) by her best gay pal, Jonathan.  While certainly played for laughs, he is much more than just a sidekick and has greater depth and development normally associated with this type of character.  When the plan is hatched to continue the ruse, things really get sticky.  Her sister comes for a visit, the two decide to “hire” a lesbian to play her girlfriend and if things were not already odd, they really get strange after that.  All of the characters in this loveable, laughable comedy of family dysfunction are fun to watch and the gays and lesbians meld wonderfully in a manner that is effortless and natural.

While Nina’s Heavenly Delights (detailed synopsis) focuses on a lesbian relationship there is strong gay representation through her male best friend who appears early in the film, setting the tone for what’s to come.  While not the crazy confidant as in Out at the Wedding, the two characters have a relationship that many of us have with our gay or lesbian friends. 

Straight Story (detailed synopsis) brings into focus a world where heterosexuality is immoral and unspeakable and gay is the norm. With Daddy and Daddy and Mommy and Mommy this mixed up, crazy (and dare we say perfect) world gives equal time to gays and lesbians. When two dads discover that their son, Yiannis, may be straight they are horrified. Yiannis is in love with his co-worker Sofia who happens to be in a happy lesbian relationship.  The story is not just one where the opposite sex is tolerated, but an integral part of the overall whole. 

Continuing on the theme of a crazy mixed up world, Park (detailed synopsis) is an amalgamation of storylines, each one more hysterical than the other.  A gay nudist and a burgeoning lesbian (delightfully played by Ricki Lake) provides some of the laughs.  Cheri Oteri thinks she is a lesbian, but then falls for the Juan Valdez look-alike, while Stephen Baldwin, Ricki Lake’s ex-husband (she is a lesbian after all) is duct taped inside his SUV while having sex with his mistress.  Did I mention it is a mixed up crazy world?

For the Bible Tells Me So (detailed synopsis) is a riveting documentary that enlivens the debate on religion and homosexuality.  Men and women alike tell their stories of growing up in a religious family (of various faiths) and how that influenced their beliefs and ideas about themselves, their beliefs and their homosexuality. 

So, guys, hook up with your best gal pal and girls grab your favorite boy toy and experience the best in GLBT film as a true community.