Not everything began with Stonewall. On These Shoulders We Stand is an illuminating historical account of early gay life and activism in Los Angeles told by the people who lived it. For those of us who supported Prop 5, this film provides perspective and inspiration. The film will be followed by a conversation with the filmmaker, Glenne McElhinney, and local activists. Three showings during Pride Week in Anchorage on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 5–6.

On These Shoulders We Stand is a documentary about LGBT civil rights history on the west coast — before Stonewall. It chronicles the lives of eleven elders, from their early years to their coming out, to their groundbreaking activism for the rights of all LGBT people. Contrary to popular belief that the struggle for gay rights was confined to New York City and San Francisco, the film profiles several Los Angeles activists who helped change the course of both California and LGBT history.These people experienced discrimination and harassment in the 1950s and 1960a beyond what we can imagine today. They stood up against LGBT oppression, at great risk to their jobs, relationships, and even their lives.

Thanks to the generosity of several members of the community, and support by Out North and Four A’s, we are able to bring this film and filmmaker/oral historian Glenne McElhinney to Anchorage, and make this a Pride Week event. There is no charge for admission, but donations will be cheerfully accepted.

For those of us who supported Prop 5, this film provides perspective, and inspiration. OTSWS is being used by many schools for LGBT history which is now legally mandated curriculum in all public schools in CA.

The film will be followed by a conversation with the filmmaker, Glenne McElhinney, and local activists.

• Cost of admission: There is no charge for admission, but donations will be cheerfully accepted.
• Further info: see Facebook event page.  See also the On These Shoulders We Stand FB page or website.

Three showings:

UAA

• Date/time: Tuesday, June 5, 7:00 to 9:30 PM
• Location: Rasmussen Hall Room 110, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3416 Seawolf Drive (see map)
• University of Alaska Anchorage: UAA’s The Family presents this event with support from Student Life and Leadership, Campus Diversity and Compliance, Residence Life, Student Union and Commuter Student Services. Many thanks to the individual Anchorage LGBT Community members who donated miles, pitched in and organized to make this event possible including The Four A’s and Alaska Pride.
• Additional: This presentation will be ASL-interpreted. The Family will meet after the film event to finish their “Tie-Dye for Pride” shirts.

Anchorage Senior Activity Center

• Date/time: Wednesday, June 6, 1:30 to 4:00 PM
• Location: Anchorage Senior Activity Center, 1300 E 19th Ave, Anchorage (see map)

Out North

• Date/time: Wednesday, June 6, 7:00 to 9:30 PM
• Location: Out North Contemporary Art House, 3800 DeBarr Road, Anchorage (see map)

Watch the trailer:

See Bent Alaska’s complete Anchorage Pride Week 2012 calendar.