A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013

“Out in the Silence” showing a successful event for Anchorage-area GSAs

Out in the Silence was shown two nights ago (Sunday, Nov. 6th) at Out North. It was an excellent turnout of students, families, allies, and friends to address the issue of bullying of our teens that is brought up in the video.

“Out in the Silence”, award-winning docco on bullying & discrimination in smalltown America: Sunday at Out North

The United Gay-Straight Alliances of Anchorage are sponsoring a free showing on Sunday evening, November 6 of Out in the Silence,  a 50-minute documentary which addresses bullying and discrimination against LGBT youth in rural and smalltown America. This is a free, all-ages event at Out North, though a donation of $3 at the door is suggested to help Anchorage GSAs develop anti-bullying initiatives in their schools.

Special thanks to The Family at UAA, Spectrum at APU, as well as Out North Contemporary Art House for their support as well as the many youth working to make this showing a success!

Out in the Silence captures the remarkable chain of events that unfold when a popular young jock is brutally bullied at his small town high school after he comes out as gay.  The youth’s mother reaches out for help to the only person she feels she can trust — native son and filmmaker Joe Wilson, whose same-sex wedding announcement has already ignited a firestorm of controversy in the local paper. Returning home with camera in-hand, Wilson’s journey dramatically illustrates the challenges that remain for LGBT people in 21st century America and the potential for building bridges on this human rights issue when people with different opinions approach one another with openness and respect.

The aim of Out in the Silence is to expand public awareness about the difficulties that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people face in rural and small town America and to promote dialogue and action that will help people on all sides of the issues find common ground.

This is a community event and all ages, orientations, etc. are welcome to attend! There is a suggested $3 donation at the door, with all proceeds going to support Gay-Straight Alliances across Anchorage to develop anti-bullying initiatives within their schools.

• Date/time: Sunday, Nov 6, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
• Location: Out North Contemporary Art House, 3800 DeBarr Road Anchorage, AK (see map)
• Cost of admission: Free; suggested $3 donation at the door to benefit Anchorage-area Gay/Straight Alliances (GSAs).
• Further info: see Facebook events page, the Out in the Silence website, or the Out in the Silence Facebook page