Pride exposed

The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community still faces many challenges when it comes to homophobia, said Robin Cooper.

“In the news last year, there was a lot of coverage of some of the unfortunate suicides of young people who have been challenged by homophobia, bullying and that happens here in Northwestern Ontario and Thunder Bay,” said Cooper, a member of the Sexuality and Gender Equality (SAGE) working group. “The school boards are doing a great job trying to address it; the community’s trying to address it but unfortunately it still happens.”

In order to engage the public on the issues, SAGE teamed up with Lakehead University’s Pride Central and Gender Issues Centre to host Northern Exposure: Pride in the North Film Festival.

The event will kick off the university’s traditional Pride in the North celebration Sunday, March 6 at the University Centre Theatre.

Pride Central director Emily Lauzon said they chose four films they felt spoke to the issues faced by members of the LGBT community in the Thunder Bay area.
 
Canadian film She’s a Boy I Knew follows the filmmaker’s journey as they transition from a man to a woman. Two-spirits tells the story of a young Native American murdered at 16 because he lived his life as an openly gay Aboriginal person.

Gen Silent depicts how some LGBT seniors are forced back into the closet to find a place to live when they need health care and support. The final film, Straightlaced, is American teens discussing the impacts of stereotypes and gender roles.

Following the showing of Straightlaced, there will be a panel discussion involving local youth, Lakehead Public Schools board members and other community members.

“I feel like this film festival is particularly important for people who are in health care and social services,” Lauzon said. “It highlights some of the issues when with their LGBTQ clients."

The film festival will kick of this year’s Pride in the North celebration the university holds every March. The weeklong event features several special events including a presentation from transgender author and activist Kate Bornstein Tuesday evening at the Bora Laskin Theatre and a social Saturday.

For more information on Pride in the North visit pride.lusu.ca/index.html.

Film festival passes are $6 in advance and $8 at the door; tickets are available at the Bean Fiend, SUCCI office at Confederation College, the Study Coffee House, Pride Central and the Gender Issues Centre offices.
 

Northern Exposure: Pride in the North Film Festival, March 6
1 p.m. – She’s a Boy I knew
2:30 p.m. – Two-spirits
4 p.m. – Gen Silent
7 p.m. – Straightlaced