Over the next month there will be some serious consideration on whether or not to bring a marriage equality measure to the ballot in 2012. Is there the voter support to win in 2012? That is why we are bringing you the October Kitchen Table Activism early this month, to invite your human dignity group [read more]
LGBTQ Justice
Oct 012011
A year ago, gatherings in a dozen communities launched the start of a public campaign for marriage equality in rural Oregon.
In rural communities that as recently as 2004 voted by a two-thirds majority for ONE MAN ONE WOMAN, the prospect of going public for marriage was a scary thing. Support groups & human dignity groups have been organizing for inclusion & safety for LGBT people for decades, a time marked with triumphs but also violence and hard choices. But instead of fear we saw tremendous courage, and the conversation on marriage began.
What does it mean when a small town paper runs a front page story that features three local community leaders who also identify as gay – a first for the leaders and the paper? What does it mean for the multiplex movie theater in town to host a movie that explores homophobia in rural America? And a standing room only crowd attends at 10:30 on a Saturday morning? What does it mean when an audience with different perspectives then discusses those differences through tears and honesty instead of the divisive politics of the last few decades?
As I read the headlines of the day (endless war, more tax breaks for the wealthy, Palin for President), it is these small ripples that seem to offer real organizing possibilities for enduring these times.
The OUT IN THE SILENCE tour of rural Oregon was a moment of dozens of such ripples. The legacy of statewide attacks on the LGBT community beginning in the late 80s is our strong web of relationships, analysis, and skills that made this film tour a huge success.
If you missed the tour, you can order copies of the film here.
It’s official. The OUT IN THE SILENCE tour of rural Oregon has begun.
In the next 10 days, documentary filmmakers Joe Wilson & Dean Hamer will travel 1,500 miles and visit 15 Oregon communities, screening their award-winning film about the experience of being LGBT in rural America, and facilitating real dialogue about what it will take to achieve fairness, inclusion, and equality.
Nov 012010
The Out in the Silence Tour is coming to rural Oregon!
Out in the Silence is a movement documentary – in that it brings to us a story of regular people entering into dialogue, stumbling, struggling, revealing their hearts – and the skilled filmmaking allows us to see this very human process as part of a bigger story. This film is courageous, thoughtful, patient, and gives us the strength to be so as well.
That’s why we are honored that longtime ROP friend Joe Wilson with his partner Dean Hamer, directors of the film Out in the Silence, will be joining us in rural Oregon for a whirlwind 10 day tour. Each stop on the tour will feature a film screening, and a conversation with the directors, but the true gems of the tour will be the facilitated community dialogues about what life is like for LGBTQ people in rural Oregon. For more background on the tour, see here.
The tour will be stopping in the following towns. Except for the Portland tour kick-off, all tour stops are free of charge, though optional donations towards tour costs will be accepted.