LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Help Pick the 20 Best Lesbian and Gay Films of the Century |
"For the past century, movies have become an undeniably important and powerful part of our lives, which not only influence how we are viewed by others, but also how we view ourselves." Scott Seomin, GLAAD Entertainment Media Director
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation(GLAAD) and ABSOLUT VODKA announce the start of a year-long balloting initiative to determine "The 20 Best Lesbian & Gay Films of the 20th Century." The project commemorates the first 100 years of depicting lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender individuals in film, as well as lesbian and gay filmmaking. Throughout the year, the community will vote for their film favorites, and in the early part of 2000, GLAAD will reveal the top 20 films and the winner of a trip to the GLAAD Media Awards in 2000. Participants are being asked to pick 20 of their favorite lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender films or favorite films with significant characters from the past century in films that have screened in the U.S. or Canada. The 166 ballot choices range from such Hollywood heavy weights as In & Out and Philadelphia, to independent favorites like Go Fish and Gods and Monsters, to films with significant and groundbreaking portrayals, such as The Crying Game and Different for Girls. GLAAD will be distributing the ballots throughout the year at upcoming GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies, and at lesbian and gay film festivals and Pride celebrations nationwide. "For the past century, movies have become an undeniably important and powerful part of our lives, which not only influence how we are viewed by others, but also how we view ourselves," said Scott Seomin, GLAAD Entertainment Media Director. "GLAAD celebrates the diverse and talented films that include, encapsulate or reflect the true diversity of our community." Online voting, sponsored by Mediapolis Data Lounge site, will be available starting April 18, 1999 at www.glaad.org. Mailed ballots must be received and online voting must be completed by January 7, 2000. "The 20 Best Lesbian & Gay Films of the 20th Century" will be unveiled by GLAAD in 2000. Each voter will be automatically entered in a drawing to win two round-trip tickets on American Airlines to any one of GLAADs Media Awards ceremonies in 2000. In addition to attending the star-studded event, the winner and a guest will stay for two nights at a top hotel in Los Angeles, New York or Washington, D.C.one of three host cities for GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies. The winning voter will also be announced in 2000. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is the nations lesbian and gay media advocacy organization, promoting fair, accurate and inclusive representation as a means of combating homophobia and all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 9, No. 3, April 9, 1999 |