QDoc 2007

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Mark’s parents always dressed him in red, his brother Alex in blue. Identical twins, born minutes apart-Mark and Alex’s identifying hues exemplified both the intimacy of connection between twins, and the social complications that result from such a closely shared identity. In a seemingly conventional middle-American family Mark and Alex grew and developed both as individuals and within the unique shared terrain that twins inhabit. But by the time they were 14, their parents had divorced, they had come out as gay, there were problems with drug abuse and depression. Eventually a joint suicide attempt precipitated a forced separation of Mark and Alex for two and half years. When they were reunited, Alex’s surprise decision to explore gender re-assignment surgery and live as a female, Clair, created profound challenges for the whole family, but particularly for the special relationship that Mark and Alex had shared as twin brothers. Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival, Red Without Blue is a beautifully shot, incredibly intimate portrait of individuals dealing with sexual and gender identity, but which ultimately speaks to the extraordinary bonds that hold families together.

RED WITHOUT BLUE: Dirs Brooke Sebold, Benita Sills, Todd Sills 2007 USA 74 min

Sponsored By: Savoy Tavern & Bistro

Community Partners: Portland PFLAG and the Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC)

It’s no exaggeration to say that Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon are treasures of the LGBT movement, the most widely recognized and admired lesbian couple since Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. As much an inspiration for their tireless, unapologetic public activism as they are for their long term commitment to each other, they have been partners in love and political struggle for over 50 years.

No Secret Anymore: The Times of Del Martin & Phyllis Lyon traces the story of these two remarkable women for over half a century, and offers an intimate view of their charming relationship. Courageously launching the Daughters of Bilitis in 1955, the first public organization for lesbians in America, they continued with groundbreaking work in the feminist movement, health and sex education fields, family issues and most recently the aging community. Winner of numerous festival audience awards for best documentary, No Secret Anymore is directed by internationally recognized documentary artist JEB (Joan E. Biren), one of our community’s treasures in her own right.

Preceded by One Wedding and a Revolution, from Academy Award winner Deborah Chasnoff. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom made the landmark decision in 2004 to grant marriage licenses to lesbian and gay couples. At such an historic moment, who would the LGBT community ask to be the first couple to take the vows?

NO SECRET ANYMORE: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DEL MARTIN & PHYLLIS LYON: Dir Joan E. Biren USA 2003 57 min.
ONE WEDDING AND A REVOLUTION: Dir Deborah Chasnoff USA 2004 19 min.
Community Partners: Equity Foundation & In Other Words Women’s Books and Resources

On the Downlow is an intimate portrait of four men negotiating their bisexual desire within the African-American community of Cleveland, Ohio. In the process of revealing the lives of men who self-describe themselves as �dipping on both sides of the fence,� the film showcases the complex intersections of sexuality, race, class and family in contemporary middle-America.

Ray (20) dates women and drag queens. He’s not into the boy thing and has a girlfriend right now. Antonio (32) spent 7 years in jail, and is dating George, who has just graduated high school and who in turn, is about to tell his high school sweetheart that he is gay. Kerwin (23) has been with many women and men; his parents don’t know but he wants to tell. Billy (28) says the best sex of his life was with the mother of his children, yet he lives with a man.

An exquisite piece of filmmaking from highly acclaimed experimental director Abigail Child, On the Downlow is also a testament to an extraordinary level of trust established between the director and the interviewees who share their very personal stories.

ON THE DOWNLOW: Dir Abigail Child USA 2007 56 min.
Community Partner: Brother To Brother Portland Black Pride June 9-17

While female-to-male (FTM) transgender visibility has increased dramatically in recent years, there remains significant controversy about this phenomenon among some feminists and lesbians.

Boy I Am boldly jumps into this dialogue, bringing questions and concerns out into the open. Is transitioning just a trend? Is it tapping into male privilege? Will transmen regret their choice with added maturity? What does the rise of FTM transitioning mean to butch dyke identity? Can transmen still be part of the lesbian community? Is a transman a straight man now, or does he retain his queerness?

In this thought-provoking film, directors Sam Feder and Julie Holler break down barriers to the forthright discussion of trans issues through a compassionate look at the experiences of three young, articulate, transitioning FTMs in New York City-Nico, Norie and Keegan-as they go through major junctures in their transitions. Voices of lesbians, activists and theorists also weigh in, raising and addressing the questions that many people have, but few openly discuss.

Boy I Am: Dirs Sam Feder & Julie Hollar 2006 USA 81 min.
Community Partner: Bitch Magazine – Feminist Response to Pop Culture

If Portland’s Sissyboy troupe can trace its gender-rebel ancestry back to San Francisco’s Cockettes, ultimately that lineage leads directly back to legendary New York artist, Jack Smith.

Underground filmmaker, photographer, father of performance art, penniless anti-capitalist, and fabulous mad queen, Jack Smith was a central and controversial figure of New York’s creative underground until his death from AIDS in 1989. His seminal, though largely forgotten, work from the 1960s influenced Warhol, John Waters, Fellini, and countless others who have subsequently made their own impact on American (counter)culture.

Smith’s notoriety came with his 1963 film Flaming Creatures which was banned as �obscene,� leading to a Supreme Court battle. A baroque, genderfuck fantasmagoria of torn gowns and dumpster glamour, Flaming Creatures embodied Smith’s fascination with cheesy Hollywood exotica re-imagined through an avant-garde and utterly queer prism.

Mary Jordan’s visually spectacular film utilizes Smith’s films, photos, and audio recordings, and interviews with artists such as John Waters, Warhol luminaries Taylor Mead and Holly Woodlawn, writer Gary Indiana, musician John Zorn, and many others to capture the eclectic personality and influence of Jack Smith.

JACK SMITH AND THE DESTRUCTION OF ATLANTIS: Dir Mary Jordan USA 2006 94 min.
Sponsored By: Witham & Dickey
Community Partners: Northwest Film Center & Portland Institute for Contemporary Art

Freeheld, a highly moving and ultimately uplifting documentary, tells of Lieutenant Laurel Hester’s battle against the elected officials of her New Jersey county who are denying her dying wish: to provide for the woman she loves. After 25 years spent serving her community, the veteran police detective has lung cancer, and she is desperate to ensure a financially stable future for her life-partner. But the county’s elected officials—known as Freeholders-won’t let her transfer her pension to her domestic partner, Stacie Andree.

Without the pension Andree will lose the home that she and Hester have built together, and Hester will not stand to see that happen. As friends and neighbors rally around the couple, Hester and Andree set off on a powerful and heart-breaking race against time.

Winner – Special Jury Prize, 2007 Sundance Film Festival

Immediately following this free screening, stay for an informative panel discussion on the status of Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Partners in Oregon. Panelists include Commissioner Sam Adams; Mike Roth, Producer/Director of SAVING MARRIAGE; Tiffany Harris, attorney with Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt; Michael Sandmeyer, representing Basic Rights Oregon; and moderated by attorney Mark Johnson of Johnson Renshaw & Lechman-Su.

FREEHELD: Dir Cynthia Wade 2007 USA 38 min.