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Also known as "The Gay Brothers," this short film showed two men dancing together.
Best Picture at the Academy Awards and also depicted one of the earliest onscreen same-sex kisses.
Alfred Hitchcock's "Rope" tells the story of two heavily coded gay men who murder one of their classmates for the sheer thrill of it.
The well-known drama includes clear, coded gay subtext between troublemaking teen protagonist Jim Stark (James Dean) and his new classmate, Plato (Sal Mineo who later came out)
Robert Aldrich's film about the breakdown of an aging lesbian TV actress included a lesbian sex scene that broke down a major taboo associated with the Code's erasure of gay characters on screen.
John Director Waters, challenged the concept of camp by making deliberately filthy, transgressive films that let their queer, outcast characters gleefully behave badly.
William Friedkin's "Cruising" was reviled by many gay viewers, with one pamphlet saying that, in the film, "gay men are presented as one-dimensional sex-crazed lunatics."
Donna Deitch's "Desert Hearts" tracks the romance that develops between repressed English professor Vivian and free-spirited rancher's daughter Kay. It's regarded as the first mainstream lesbian film with a happy ending.
Jennie Livingston's acclaimed documentary chronicles New York City's Black and Latino Harlem drag ball scene of the late 1980s, bringing the vital subculture into the public eye in a major way.
Director Cheryl Dunye plays a Black lesbian filmmaker working on a project about "The Watermelon Woman," an obscure 1940s Black actress.
Hedwig Robinson, a gay East German rock singer develops a relationship with a younger man, Tommy, becoming his mentor and musical collaborator, only to have Tommy steal her music and become a rock star.
Ang Lee's film about the long-term secret romance between two cowboys (Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger) made history as one of the first big mainstream movies that centered on a gay love story. The film became a critical and box office success and won three Oscars, proving to Hollywood that LGBTQ+ stories had a place outside of strictly independent filmmaking.
Lesbian filmmaker Dee Rees arrived on the scene with her 2011 debut narrative feature film, "Pariah." The semi-autobiographical film centers on a Black Brooklyn lesbian's experiences with coming out and reckoning with her identity.
Moonlight tells the story of a young Black gay man named Chiron as he grows up and comes to terms with his identity. It made history as the first LGBTQ+ movie and the first movie with an all-Black cast to take home the top prize.
Director Wanuri Kahiu's "afro bubblegum" film "Rafiki," which tells a love story between two teenage girls, became the first Kenyan film to screen at the Cannes Film Festival.
The animated documentary "Flee" centers on a man identified as Amin Nawabi, a refugee from Afghanistan who left his country for a new life in Denmark, as he shares a painful hidden past ahead of marrying his soon-to-be husband.
In the early 1960s, Agnes Torres — a pseudonymized transgender woman — participated in sociologist Harold Garfinkel's gender health research at UCLA, making her the first subject of an in-depth discussion of transgender identity in sociology.
Introducing @audreylane.c - our first poet in the spotlight for Poetry on Fire this Saturday, April 27! Read on to learn more about them and their practice ✨
Audrey Lane Cockett is a poet, filmmaker, sound artist, ecologist, and educator settled in Treaty 7 Land (Calgary, AB). Their work is rooted in wild, both outside and in. Audrey Lane’s celebrated work in poetry and film have captivated audiences both locally and internationally. They honed and elevated their craft at residencies such as the Banff Spoken Word Program, the Banff Adventure Filmmaking Workshop, the Canadian Wilderness Artist Residency in the Yukon, as well as in their BSc in Environmental Sciences. Audrey Lane creates and performs in ways that stretch at the edges and integrates disciplines and ideas. They are invested in story, and are dedicated to exploring what connects and transforms us.
Tickets for Poetry on Fire are available now - visit the link in our bio to secure yours today!
#queerartsyyc #yycpoetry #yycevents #YYCnow #calgaryevents
Got weekend plans yet? Here’s your chance to win tickets to two amazing events this Saturday, April 27th 👯
We’re giving away tickets for you and a friend to Poetry on Fire, as well as CUFF’s screening of Teaches of Peaches - two events guaranteed to make your Saturday one for the books 🎉
Entering is super easy - here’s how:
☝️ FOLLOW @queerartsyyc and @calgaryundergroundfilm
🤎 LIKE this post
💬 TAG a friend you’d like to bring along for the ride in the comments - 1 tag/comment = 1 entry!
📝 SIGN UP for our newsletter for an extra entry via the link in our bio
Contest closes this Wednesday, April 24 at 5pm MST.
We’ll contact the winners via Instagram DM and email. Make sure you’re receiving messages from our official Instagram and email accounts 🔍
Good luck 😉
Disclaimer: this promotion is not sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram in any way. By entering, you confirm that you are at least 13+ years of age, agree to Instagram’s terms of use, and release Instagram of any responsibility.
#giveaway #queerartsYYC #YYCfilm #CUFF #calgaryundergroundfilm #YYCpoetry #poetry
This Saturday, April 27th, we’re excited to introduce Poetry on Fire: A Celebration of 2SLGBTQIA+ Poets! In celebration of National Poetry Month, join us for an unforgettable evening of queer poetic expression. Tickets are available now - visit the link in our bio or comment “#poetry” on this post for more info ✍️
Hosted by Calgary Queer Arts Society and in partnership with @calgaryspokenwordsociety, we’ll begin the evening with a selection of readings by brilliant local 2SLGBTQIA+ poets @arettiea, Skylar Kay, @thetransplanter and @audreylane.c.
Soon after, we’ll dive into Samantha Farinella`s captivating documentary film “Left Lane: On the Road with Folk Poet Alix Olson,” which tells the fascinating story of the ingenious queer spoken word poet Alix Olson.
Don’t miss out on a stellar evening celebrating queer voices in poetry and film, hailing from Calgary and beyond. We’ll see you there ✨
Stay tuned to learn more about our featured poets for the evening, plus an opportunity to score tickets to this + more exciting programming for next weekend 🎟️ 👯♂️
Praise for “Left Lane” from the @nytimes:
“Take to the road with internationally renowned folk poet and progressive queer artist/activist Alix Olson and manager/filmmaker Samantha Farinella in this intimate portrait that follows the duo across the country while highlighting spoken word performances and fueling the never-ending struggle to promote independent thought. Igniting and inspiring audiences wherever she may travel, Olson uses her witty and sympathetic voice to highlight a grassroots struggle against intolerance that is as entertaining as it is poignant.”
Today’s the final day of National Volunteer Week, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the amazing folks who have been an integral part of the work we’ve done over the years 🌈 🤸
A huge thanks to our incredible volunteers, without whom CQAS events and the Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival would not be possible! Your ongoing commitments to inclusivity, visibility, and the wellbeing of our community is an inspiring testament to resilience and the best we as humans have to offer.
See any familiar faces here? Tag them or send them this post & reminisce 💖
Our programming committee has been hard at work as we prepare for this year’s Fairy Tales! Whether you’ve lent us your time and energy in the past, or you’re interested in doing so for the first time, stay tuned for new opportunities to get involved. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know ✨
p.s. - mark your calendars: from June 27th to 30th, we can’t wait to host you at the GRAND for another year of films and fun! 🎉 🎞️
#YYCarts #queerartYYC #YYCvolunteers #NationalVolunteerWeek #YYC
We stand on the shoulders of giants and there is so very much to be learned from the great artists and survivors of our community. If you haven`t had the opportunity yet, check out this episode of @cbcq with @tomjoepower featuring @joancbaezofficial and @brendan_healy!
"Few voices in folk music have captured a time and place quite like Joan Baez’s. Her incredible life is on display in the documentary “Joan Baez I Am a Noise,” which follows her career as she becomes one of the definitive singers of her generation. The film also gives an intimate look at her life, loves and traumas through diary entries, recordings and performances. Joan talks to Tom about her career, what it means to leave behind an honest legacy, and what she’s most proud of.
The Canadian director Brendan Healy has taken on an epic project: a new production of Matthew López`s seven-hour play “The Inheritance,” which has been called the most important play of the 21st century. Brendan sits down with Tom to tell us how the play represents a conversation between generations of gay men, what happens when you don`t learn about the past, and how that conversation played out in real life at rehearsals."
“As artists, we know the danger of a social and political environment that restricts expression, exploration, individuality and self-determination.
We want to keep living in a world that celebrates the beauty of difference, because difference and art go hand-in-hand. We also believe in the power of using our voices for those who aren’t being heard.” 👏 👏 👏
Visit @teganandsarafoundation or the link in our bio for more info.
The 2024 celebration of Trans Day of Visibility at @contemporarycalgary was many things - a place to share incredible stories; a collective dream of brighter days ahead; a beacon of hope in challenging times; and of course, a moment of respite and solace through art and conversation.
We hope you enjoyed “Tierra” and “Deb-we-win Ge-ken-am-aan - Our Place in The Circle” ! A huge thank you to everyone who shared their time, wisdom, and resources, and joined us in holding space for our trans siblings everywhere.
We’ve got more exciting events at the intersection of #art and #identity in the pipeline - stay tuned 💫
#queerartsyyc #queercalgary #yycarts #yyc
🎞️✨ @calgaryundergroundfilm’s full lineup for this year is out and we couldn’t be more excited! To celebrate, we’ve partnered with them to present “Teaches of Peaches” - *the* acclaimed tour-film-slash-documentary celebrating one of Canada’s favorite and fiercest queer icons.
📡 Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting CUFF x CQAS news, or read on to learn more about this mold-shattering presentation:
"Artist and musician Peaches is a feminist icon leaving an indelible mark on popular culture as proven by this blend of archival gems, interviews, and riveting tour footage.
Filmed during "The Teaches of Peaches Anniversary Tour" in 2022, this documentary weaves together exclusive archival and dynamic tour footage capturing the transformative journey of Canadian Merrill Nisker into the internationally acclaimed cultural powerhouse Peaches.
From the inception of the stage show to the rigorous rehearsals and riveting performances, the film provides an intimate look at the inner workings of a tour led by this beloved and globally celebrated icon. As a feminist musician, producer, director, and performance artist, Peaches has spent over two decades challenging gender stereotypes, solidifying her status alongside pop and music industry icons. Through biting wit, she advocates for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and tackles issues of gender and sexual identity, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.”
Don’t miss out - get your tickets while you can 🍑
🎉 Join us in celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility at @contemporarycalgary on Sunday, March 31 at 6 PM! Working in partnership with @qcu.yyc, @skippingstoneca, @calgarypride, @blackprideyyc, and @foriaclinic, we`re proud to present an evening featuring two short films highlighting the Two-Spirit, Transgender, and Non-Binary communities.
After some short speeches in support of the Gender Diverse Community, we`ll be showing:
✨ Second Stories: Deb-we-win Ge-ken-am-aan - Our Place in The Circle
Lorne Olson`s short documentary presents a vision he had of two-spirited people dancing, laughing, and smiling. His vision spurs him to rediscover the strength of the past to better face the challenges of today. This funny and buoyant film documents his touching journey.
✨“TIERRA” is an experimental film piece directed by Fana Adjani. This story speaks about the recognition of the destruction, the transformation, the loss of territory, gender identity, ecofeminisms, and the relationship within the feminist struggle.
We also invite you to stay for a panel on the importance of the International Day of Visibility.
🔗 Register for ✨ free ✨ at https://bit.ly/49kyELS or check out the link in @ContemporaryCalgary`s bio!
See you there 🥰
Are you a black identified 2SLGBTQIA+ student who needs some supports? Then check out the Onward Onyx award from @calgaryblackchambers and @calgfoundation For more info and to apply by June 1st go to either organization’s website.
The Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge that we operate on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations) this land is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. We acknowledge the traditional caregivers of this land and the importance of a commitment to continued decolonization of our work for the dignity and equity of all. We would like also recognize that Treaty 7 is about a relationship we all actively share in, as settlers and original peoples. A relationship needs to be open, honest, respectful, mutually beneficial and grounded in meaningful reconciliation.
