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- News
- Author:
- Scott Abrahams
- Posted:
- Tuesday, 2 December 2008
The fundraiser screening of the documentary about the homophobic bashing of Craig Gee and Shane Brennen will be held on on Wednesday night (Dec 3), a year after the attack.
The film crew who followed the reactions of the gay and lesbian community and the response by police and politicians are offering a first screening of the almost complete documentary to raise funds for its completion.
Stickybeak Films’ Katherine Wilkinson and Tonnette Stanford funded the 10-month production themselves, but several thousand more is needed to put the finishing touches on the work.
On 3 December we’re going to show a selection of lesbian short films by us, Frontbum Dancin’ and The Vicious and The Delicious, and then after that we’re going to show a nearly finished version of the documentary, Wilkinson said.
A question and answer forum with Gee and Brennen will be held after the screening.
The documentary features interviews with key players in the community who championed the need for action, several high ranking police, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Sydney Star Observer editor Scott Abrahams. Outspoken US comedian Margaret Cho, who shared the Mardi Gras parade lead with Gee and Brennen, also took part.
Beginning with the now iconic photograph of Gee’s face that appeared on the SSO cover in January, the film covers the unprecedented developments that included the replacement of the top officers at Surry Hills Police. So shocked was the community that a vigil against homophobic violence was organised at Harmony Park, City of Sydney renewed its outreach to the GLBT community, and New Mardi Gras honoured Gee and Brennen and all past victims of homophobic violence as the lead parade float.
But the community has not previously been privy to the private troubles faced by the two men, which led to the couple breaking up, and losing support from Gee’s family.
The screening at the Chauvel cinema will have a door price of $13, but more will be needed to reach the necessary target. Anyone choosing to support this chapter in gay and lesbian history with a $50 or greater donation will have the option of having their name in the film’s credits, Wilkinson said.
info: Tickets to the screening can be purchased by contacting the filmmakers at stickybeakfilms@yahoo.com.au.
December 3rd, 2008 @ 5:57 pm
Just visited Melbourne and will be moving there, can’t take anymore. Less arrogant, hateful, threatening and segregated as Sydney. Currently in Sydney I believe this is being fed and fuelled by internal and external haters, who after facing facts are an accepted bunch in our community so be careful as it is doesn’t seem to be taken care of and allowed as the ‘norm’ in Sydney. I am not completely sure, and am going to take a very daring risk in saying this (well ‘daring and risky’ in Sydney’s careful politically correct terms) as I do believe many gays in Sydney may be so caught up in the status of being in Sydney (location, location) that they are relying and living on old memories of Sydney once being the ‘gay capital of Australia’. This title is completely untrue currently as reliance is not maintenance and with little support internally (and externally), the once established structures will decay…c’mon Sydney gays, if this used to be the gay capital, one can only imagine with the European progression and acceptance that Melbourne has to offer, I will not be the only one to go and have been told many are already there. In Sydney, my gay memories are, I have recieved death threats, chased many a time, bashed twice, yelled at and called names along with more threats on the streets, also in bars & cafes (with staff and some management finding this amusing, not addressing it with me having to leave premises for my own safety) and finally harrassed by police upon addressing these matters. I think the last time I reported my neighbours for screaming discusting gay hate statements at us through windows, the police came into my place demanding to know why I didn’t answer them when they ‘knocked at my window’, where I advised I thought it was the neighbours, with the police then questioning me as to where I work and, ARE YOU ALL READY FOR THIS, ‘do I smoke ice’…now, I had been drinking as had been out for dinner but didn’t think I looked that bad :))) I have also checked with many a straight friend establishing I have not got the campest look or movements, so not as noticable as one would think (remember, don’t ask that deadly straight question of ‘did u do anything to be noticed’). What can one do but try and laugh….oh, and unfortunately have to or fortunately by choice find another ‘location’ that has ‘feeling and support’ not just ’status’…owww, now I know that may hurt some but we need to take this seriously or else worse will happen and I don’t wanna be around for that.
December 5th, 2008 @ 5:32 pm
I hope Craig Gee is recovering well and Gets the support he needs. Peter, Ive read your posting and couldnt agree more. Sydney suffers a “Ghettoization” Culture. Im apparently “Rich” Because I live in Kirribilli, oh and I apparently know the Prime Minister well. I always love my yearly Trips to Melbourne. A bit cold in Winter but thats what brings people together down there.
December 8th, 2008 @ 11:17 am
“I do believe many gays in Sydney may be so caught up in the status of being in Sydney (location, location) that they are relying and living on old memories of Sydney once being the -˜gay capital of Australia” – That is so true, thats the problem with us Sydney queens, we are more about looks/status then we are about community, becuase of all the straight people, Oxford st is not ours anymore and we are just to dam into ourselves to do anything about it.