Supermodel Kroell et al to Speak at DC LGBT Film Festival, 10/12

On Wednesday, October 12th at 7pm, the GLAAD DC Leadership Council in cooperation with Reel Affirmations is proud to present Out of the Closet and Onto the Screen: A Generation of Queer Film.

As part of Washington DC's International LGBT Film Festival, the opening panel will feature celebrities and experts in LGBT film and media discussing the past, present and future of film in our community.

Moderated by MetroWeekly's Chris Geidner, the star-studded panel is scheduled to include Ronnie Kroell - Star of Bravo's Make Me a Supermodel, June 2010 Playgirl Cover Model, films - Eating Out: Drama Camp, Into the Lion's Den, Michelle Clunie - Queer as Folk, Make It or Break It, Brad Bell - star and writer of "Husbands," Bob Mondello - National Public Radio's Arts Critic, and Stephen L. Forssell - GWU Lecturer, LGBT Family Research Expert and GW student filmmaker of I Am Sara Snyder.

From The Children's Hour to Milk, people have been coming out of the closet and jumping onto the screen for generations. The portrayal of LGBT people on the silver screen has transformed in a way that has mirrored our visibility in modern culture. While early films could only be found on VHS on dusty shelves of adult bookstores, the elite of Hollywood are now clamoring to "play gay" on film. As we've learned, the way we are seen in popular directly affects everyday impressions of LGBT people and our families.

The panel will take place at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium at 7pm. Tickets are available by visiting the Reel Affirmations website. http://bit.ly/n5RyK5

CALENDAR LISTING:
Out of the Closet and Onto the Screen: a star-studded discussion of the past, present and future of LGBT films. Moderated by Metroweekly's Chris Geidner with panelitst includingjmcgsi Make me a Supermodel's Ronnie Kroell, Queer as Folk's Michelle Clunie and will be moderated by Metroweekly's Chris Geidner. Presented by GLAAD's DC Leadership Council and the Reel Affirmation LGBT Film Festival, the panel will take place on Wednesday, October 12th - 7pm - George Washington University Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st Street NW Tickets available at Reel Affirmations website.

GLAAD LEADERSHIP COUNCILS:

GLAAD leadership councils are organized groups of dedicated volunteer leaders with a demonstrated commitment and passion for GLAAD's mission. They provide critical on the ground support and leadership for GLAAD in communities across the country. As the local voice and face of GLAAD, leadership councils offer locally tailored events, monitor and respond to local media coverage of LGBT people and issues, communicate GLAAD's impact on local and national issues, and build support for GLAAD's work. In 2010, there are established and emerging Leadership Councils in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, South Florida, and Washington DC.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality.

REEL AFFIRMATIONS:

In 1990, Keith Haring died of AIDS. So did Ryan White. Alvin Ailey and Robert Mapplethorpe had died the previous year. ACT UP led demonstrations against the Reagan Administration's AIDS policy. Gay rights? They were "special rights." Forget about it.

It seems so long ago, and maybe even painful to remember: nearly every day LGBT people faced grim news on some front. In that time of anger and grief, One In Ten was formed, born from the frustration of LGBT struggles, but also the hope that an educational and arts organization would bring a positive message about being gay and lesbian to the public. In 1991, it produced its first program, a film festival that instantly became a powerful center of LGBT affinity and pride. Who knew there were so many LGBT films and LGBT people in DC? Who knew there'd be interest in LGBT lives from all of Washington? And in those early years, who'd have predicted that Reel Affirmations would grow to be annually the largest LGBT arts event in DC?

Since its first festival, Reel Affirmations has grown to include companion events held at Pride, a monthly screening series called RA Xtra, and special screenings throughout the year with a variety of community partnerships. RA also administers a grant program to support LGBT filmmakers. Meanwhile, its parent organization, One In Ten, was the long-time presenter and producer of the annual Capital Pride celebration for many years, and also presents Laugh Out Loud, an LGBT comedy festival, as well as other arts projects that help tell the stories of LGBT lives.