We’re baaaack, it’s 2012, and the BGM crew are gearing up for our favourite week of winter fun, Whistler’s amazing WinterPride week. This year is sure to be off the hook as this annual gay ski week is celebrating it’s 20th year and the organizers …. and heroes of Beyond Gay fame, Ken Coolen and Dean Nelson, have lined up some amazing entertainers and DJs. Mother Nature is cooperating and the conditions on the mountain are looking awesome too.
In keeping with their commitment to social justice Dean & Ken have got the Mayor of Whistler on board to make an official proclamation declaring Feb 5 -12 Pride Week in Whistler and the Rainbow flag will fly at city hall. Not that there have ever been any serious problems with homophobia in the Village, on the contrary, the LGBT community is welcomed enthusiastically by Whistler locals, and Pride flags have been flying all over the village for years. But as we learned first hand while making Beyond Gay, government support and recognition goes a long way to help the larger community understand that we belong, and deserve the respect and recognition granted each and every Canadian citizen. It also helps all the fabulous visitors that come from afar feel safe, secure and welcomed throughout town. And – hold on to your shorts – to make it even better, this year they’ve organized the first ever Pride March down the slopes and through the village. Gay Ski Week has survived for so long because of the amazing friendships that have been made over the years, both on and off the slopes. If you’re looking for a Pride event that truly fosters a warm sense of community spirit, and lasting friendships, you will not be disappointed.
In other news, the 2012 screening requests for Beyond Gay are rolling in. We are heading back to Montreal on March 2nd for a screening at the Journalists for Human Rights Documentary Media Festival. Between March 21-24 we will be participating at the OUT spoken conference in Lethbridge Alberta, more details on that coming soon. There’s more exciting news about the film in the works as well, but I can’t divulge until it’s a done deal, as the saying goes. But it’s awesome, and when it’s official you will hear all about it.
Well if you haven’t heard the latest – BC’s third largest Pride festival (after Vancouver and Victoria) takes place on Salt Spring Island from Sept 7th -11th. For an island of roughly just 10 thousand residents, that’s an awesome accomplishment and says a lot about the quality of the community there. If nothing else the Gays & Lesbians of Salt Spring Island have a one of the best acronyms I have heard in ages – GLOSSI! And reports are that this is an event not to be missed – and we are pleased and honoured to be screening Beyond Gay on Thurs Sept 8th at the Mistaken Identity Vineyards (164 Norton Rd). Wine & Cheese mingle starts at 7:00 PM. They are hosting me as well as members of the Vancouver Pride Society for a panel discussion about this year’s Pride theme “Out in the World.” Wine, cheese, movies and fierce conversation – I can hardly wait. Sounds like a great way to kick off a Pride weekend, and that’s just the start – other events include a dance on Friday night, plus the Parade and picnic in the park on Saturday. Get all the details here. So looking forward to it and I hope to see you there. See you at the movies! Bob
Tomorrow the 23rd annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival gets under way and I am so freakin excited. I had the pleasure to create the festival’s trailer this year with long time festival supporter James Goodman, and also wrangled Mike Wiskar, composer for Beyond Gay, to create the super fun music track. It also stars the awesome staff of the VQFF.
There’s an awesome line up of over 100 films this year and it all gets under way on Thursday Aug 11th. I have caught a few of the films at other festivals already, and highly recommend the Centerpiece Gala “Grown up Movie Star.” And of course we are looking forward to the Vancouver Premiere of Charlie David’s new film Judas Kiss which is playing August 13th with a party afterwards hosted by Guy Spy. See you at the movies! (and order your DVD copy of Beyond Gay today!)
Well we were only in New York for four days and they legalized same-sex marriage. Ahh the magic of film.
It’s true though, we had an amazing screening at 92Y Tribeca on Tuesday. On Friday caught up with many of our friends from the Drag March and just as we finished our march through the village, and stopped in front of the Stonewall Inn, the announcement came in that the Senate vote had passed 33 – 29.The energy in New York was absolutely amazing. Congratulations to all our New York fans.
And now it’s time to Celebrate Queer Vancouver!
It’s our fair city’s 125th birthday and we have been working with the Vancouver Queer Film Festival to bring an extra blast of homo-fabulousness to town. The entire program of Celebrate Queer Vancouver runs from the launch on July 21st through the film festival that wraps up on August 21st. Our special screening and Canadian DVD launch of Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride will be on July 24th at the Vancity Theatre. There will be a reception afterwards with drinks, nibblies, autographed DVDs, and all sorts of fun. Come on out and see it on the BIG screen one more time. It is going to be a great summer to visit Vangroovy- we are also hosting the North American Outgames and Human Rights Conference. And of course, the last two weeks of July are chock-a block full of Pride events. Check out the Vancouver Pride Society website for all the event details. See you at the movies!
