Queer and Clear: Voices Speak Out

The following story and photos were submitted to SooToday.com by Andréa Widgett.

"People need to know that Sault Ste. Marie is not Antarctica!" Roy Mitchell, a local film maker and participant in Friday evening’s film festival Queer Voices affirms.

No, Sault Ste. Marie definitely is not Antarctica; here there are many voices.

This weekend, these voices were heard.

Queer Voices showcased six short films by local film makers and aimed at heightening social awareness into the gay and lesbian communities in small-town cities.

The festival took place Friday evening at Algoma University, and was embraced by an enthusiastic audience of over 130 people.

"It wasn't just queers here tonight," says Catarina Kim, treasurer of Algoma Pride and co-organizer of this event. "It was supporters, friends, family."

"We really just wanted every community to come together tonight," she continues, "and that definitely has happened."

The event was hosted by Algoma U professor Dr. Margot Francis, and opened with local drummers; a panel discussion followed the event, and to conclude the evening, Loplops hosted an after party.

Six films comprised the body of the festival: Head Case by Jason Ryle; The Gift by Wanda Nanibush; Coolie Gyal by Renata Mohamed; Meskanahk, My Path by Kevin Burton; Future Nation by Kent Monkman, and I Know a Place by Roy Mitchell and Jane Farrow.

Artfully balanced and intriguing, the films intelligently covered a wide range of genres and appealed attractively to a diverse audience.

Each film was constructed realistically and was aimed at challenging traditional gender views and ideals; although more importantly, each film was a vibrant display into the lives and experience of a community who has been severely marginalized and faced with constant barriers and roadblocks.

A large inclusion to the festival was the light and humorous attitude portrayed throughout the films and reverberating throughout the audience.

For the evening there were no barriers or roadblocks; there was instead a commendable display of history and experience presented believably within an exciting, affectionate framework.

Kim and Dr. Francis have been organizing this event for little more than two months.

"Large local corporations such as Algoma Steel and the Steel Workers Union turned us down for sponsorship," says Kim. "However, the sponsors that we do have and the tremendous support from within our own community has made this festival a reality."

The packed amphitheatre and the positive audience reception affirm that not only was the festival reality, it was also a very successful one.

"It's great that there's such a great audience for it," says Jason Ryle; director of Head Case. "You don't always expect this to be so, but this is proof that there is."

For over a decade, Algoma Pride has tried unsuccessfully to be heard, recognized and respected.

This event was the first ever in the Sault, and the response was awesome.

Voices were not just heard.

People listened.