Every year since Beyond Gay was released there is a little rush of enquiries about screenings during Pride season, and this year there’s been more than in a long time, and they’re very exciting. Earlier this week our producer Charlie David presented the film in South Africa, and tonight I’ll host the first of a whirl wind tour of screenings in Northern Europe in Helsinki Finland. I just arrived last night and I was surprised how much it felt like home – not so much Vancouver as Northern British Columbia, it was sunny and warm and very green. (This morning it’s very Vancouver though, the sky is that familiar grey and and it’s drizzling with rain.) The film is being presented with Helsinki Pride and the Canadian Embassy in Finland at Kino Dubrovnik/Andorra, Eerikinkatu 11. The doors open at 6 PM and I’ll be on hand to introduce the film and do a Q&A afterwards.
Helsinki Pride has an incredible line-up of events programmed, more than twenty different things just today and it’s only Wednesday. There is even a Barn Dance tonight (did I mention it felt like Northern BC..?), a Robert Mapplethorpe exhibit and talk., and the Miss and Mr. Gay Finland competitions to name just a few. There is an entire program of Youth Pride events as well – super impressed by the variety of things to do. I’ll also be participating in a LGBTI Human Rights forum hosted by the US Embassy alongside several Russian and other Eastern European activists. Based on the conversations I’ve had in the planning, this is sure to be a very interesting event. It’s very refreshing to know that my own government, as well as the US are taking part and supporting the organizers of Helsinki Pride. I will be on a float representing ten visiting countries of LGBTI people and our allays in the parade on Saturday. I’ll try to keep my shirt on.
As I mentioned there are more exciting screening travels aheads, so stay tuned for more news – the fun has just begun and I’ll have plenty more to tell you once things get rolling.
With Pride to the Finish,
Bob
