Lansing Community College Library

Virtual displays

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Resources

Paris is Burning (1990) | Kanopy

 

Where does voguing come from, and what, exactly, is throwing shade? This landmark documentary provides a vibrant snapshot of the 1980s through the eyes of New York City’s African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene. Made over seven years, PARIS IS BURNING offers an intimate portrait of rival fashion “houses,” from fierce contests for trophies to house mothers offering sustenance in a world rampant with homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty. Featuring legendary voguers, drag queens, and trans women—including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey, and Venus Xtravaganza—PARIS IS BURNING brings it, celebrating the joy of movement, the force of eloquence, and the draw of community.

 


Transformer: A Record-Breaking Powerlifter Transitions

From Male to Female (2018) | Kanopy

 

This award-winning documentary tells the transformative story of Matt, a bodybuilder, world-record powerlifter, cancer survivor, father of three teenage sons, and former U.S. Marine, as he transitions into a woman, now known as Janae.

Winner of an Audience Award at the Hot Docs International Documentary Festival.

 


Almost Adults (2017) | Kanopy

 

This comedy feature follows two best friends in their final year of college while they transition into adulthood. One embraces her sexuality and tries to catch up on everything she has missed during her teenage years, while the other ends a long term relationship with her boyfriend and discovers her life isn’t going as planned. Both struggle to keep their friendship together as they begin growing apart.

Official Selection at Outfest, the Austin Film Festival, and the Inside Out Festival

 


Big Eden (2000) | Kanopy

 

From out gay writer-director Thomas Bezucha (The Family Stone) comes this funny, heart-warming romantic tale of a thirty-something gay guy, Henry Hart (Arye Gross, Ellen, Six Feet Under) who returns to his childhood Montana home when his beloved Grandfather becomes ill. Once there, Henry confronts his unrequited passion for his high school best friend Dean (Tim DeKay) and his feelings about being gay in a small town.

But Big Eden residents defy the stereotype of “small town, small minds.” As Henry works through his emotions, the townspeople quietly conspire to help him along, until Henry realizes new possibilities for both friendship and romance.

 


Suited (2016) | Infobase

 

Produced by Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner of HBO's 'Girls,' this documentary tells the story of Bindle & Keep, a Brooklyn-based custom-suit company that is helping members of the LGBTQ community embrace their identities--and look the way they feel. Among those profiled are a transgender man preparing for his wedding, a law student struggling through job interviews, and more.

 


United in Anger: A History of ACT UP: The Grassroots Movement to

End the AIDS Crisis (2012) | Kanopy

 

An inspiring documentary about the birth and life of the AIDS activist movement from the perspective of the people in the trenches fighting the epidemic. Utilizing oral histories of members of ACT UP, as well as rare archival footage, the film depicts the efforts of ACT UP as it battles corporate greed, social indifference, and government neglect.

The film takes the viewer through the planning and execution of a half dozen exhilarating major actions including Seize Control of the FDA, Stop the Church, and Day of Desperation, with a timeline of many of the other actions that forced the U.S. government and mainstream media to deal with the AIDS crisis. UNITED IN ANGER reveals the group’s complex culture – meetings, affinity groups, and approaches to civil disobedience mingle with profound grief, sexiness, and the incredible energy of ACT UP.

This acclaimed documentary screened at dozens of universities, museums and film festivals, including Hot Docs, Frameline and Outfest.