The Gay and Lesbian Center of Greater Long Beach and Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride are proud to announce the Long Beach Q Film Festival 2010, which will take place October 7-10, 2010 at the historic Art Theater located at 2025 East 4th St. and the neighboring Center Long Beach, both on Long Beach’s renowned “Retro Row.”  Ticket prices range from $5 – $15 for individual screenings and parties.  An All Fest pass, which allows admission into all screenings and parties, will cost $120.  An All Film pass, allowing admittance into all screenings but not parties, is $85.  Another pass granting admission to five films of the holder’s choice will also be available for $40.  Tickets and passes will be available for purchase in early September through the Q Film Festival page at www.centerlb.org as well as through the Long Beach Pride website, www.longbeachpride.com.

A special festival pre-event will be held at 7:00 pm on Saturday, September 18th, at the Long Beach Pride offices located at 1017 Obispo in Long Beach.  The pre-event will highlight audience favorites from past Q Film Festivals and give a sneak peek at this year’s fest.  Admission is free with the purchase of any Q Film Festival ticket or pass.  Food and beverages will be provided.

Long Beach’s long-running film festival since 1993, the Q Film Festival presents narrative features, documentaries and short films that embody the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community.  This year’s event will feature several of the most acclaimed features on the 2010 film festival circuit: “A Marine Story,” winner of both the Jury Award and Audience Award for best U.S. Dramatic Feature and of an Achievement in Acting Award for its star, Dreya Weber, at Outfest; Peru’s “Contracorriente” (”Undertow”), winner of the World Cinema Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and a Special Award for Artistic Achievement at Outfest; “Role/Play” starring Matthew Montgomery, who won an Artistic Achievement in Acting Award at the Philadelphia Q Film Festival; “On These Shoulders We Stand,” recognized with a Special Programming Award for Freedom at Outfest; and “Out in the Silence,” which won the Audience Award at the Hardacre Film Festival and the Alternative Spirit Award at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.

An all-time high of film submissions were received this year from both student and professional filmmakers from around the world.  Many filmmakers and cast members of each film to be shown will be present for audience discussions after their screenings.  Festival events will be hosted by a variety of local performers and luminaries.  Jury awards will be given to worthy films in several categories.  The festival will also feature panel discussions, parties and opportunities for local community members to meet and mingle with filmmakers, actors and other industry professionals.

Q Film Festival 2010 will kick off with the local premieres of “A Marine Story” at 7:00 pm and “Contracorriente” (”Undertow”) at 9:15 pm on Thursday, October 7th.  An Opening Night party will take place between screenings starting at 8:00 pm at the neighboring Gay and Lesbian Center of Greater Long Beach.  Screenings on Saturday, October 9th will include a variety of great short films in the “Men in Briefs” and “Women in Shorts” programs.  The documentary “On These Shoulders We Stand” will screen at 1:00 pm on Sunday, October 10th, followed by a selection of comedic short films under the title “Laugh Your Shorts Off.”  The Long Beach premiere of “Role/Play” will bring the festival to a close at 4:45 pm on Sunday, with a Closing Night party immediately following.  All festival parties feature cocktails, libations and live entertainment.

The full Q Film Festival schedule will be announced by the end of August.  Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, producer of the annual Long Beach LGBT Pride Festival and Parade, is co-presenting this year’s Q Film Festival with The Center Long Beach for the first time.  All net proceeds from the festival will benefit The Center Long Beach and Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride.  Sponsors and underwriters are invited to participate.  Please contact Christina D. Rios Bennett at (562) 889-2826 for information about sponsorship opportunities.  For more information on the Art Theater, please visit www.arttheatrelongbeach.com.

About The Center Long Beach
The Gay and Lesbian Center of Greater Long Beach is located at 2017 E. Fourth Street in Long Beach. The Center was officially incorporated in 1980 as One in Long Beach, Inc. and has been providing a variety of health, social, advocacy, legal, and service programs to the LGBT community in the Long Beach area for three decades. The Center serves approximately 21,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clients and constituents annually through 23 different programs and services.
The Center Long Beach
Tel: 562-434-4455
Fax: 562-433-6428
www.centerlb.org

About Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc.
Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc. was established in 1983 and produced the first annual Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Festival and Parade in June, 1984.  Since then, the festival and parade has become the third-largest such event in the U.S., annually attracting more than 75,000 participants.  The organization has also granted over $1 million to local charities since its inception.
Contact: Julie Brown or Sergio Macias, Co-Presidents
Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc.
Tel: 562-987-9191
www.longbeachpride.com

Shelter Surf Presents “Get Stoked Tour” Film Fest @ The Art Theatre Fri-Sun Aug 20-22nd!Shelter Surf Shop is proud to present 3 great films in one weekend at the Art Theatre of Long Beach, Friday August 20 – Sunday August 22nd! The “Get Stoked Tour” Features The World Premier of Cyrus Sutton’s new film, “Stoked And Broke” on Saturday, August 21st @ 9pm. Also screening: “One California Day”, Friday August 20th @9pm and “Stylemasters”, Sunday August 22nd @ 9pm.

PLUS: Join us at Shelter for a FREE Pre-Screening Event on Saturday @ 6pm featuring a live musical performance by The Black Apples, Blue Tarp Surfing and a Kourdoroy TV Short Film Festival! Refreshments will be provided courtesy of Shelter Surf Shop and the Get Stoked Tour sponsors.

Schedule:
• Friday August 20th 9 PM – “One California Day”
• Saturday August 21st 9 PM – “Stoked and Broke WORLD PREMIER!
• Sunday August 22nd 9 PM – “Stylemasters

Cost: $10 Per Movie or Get a weekend Pass to See All Three for $20! Click here.

About the movies:
“Stoked And Broke”: Cyrus Sutton and Ryan Burch set out on a nine day staycation with their handmade bamboo rickshaws. In the old times, rickshaws were mainly used as means of transportation for the social elite. Well for these two, the elite has become a bunch of gear: boards, handplanes, foam, fins, camping gear, and no cash. As Cyrus and Ryan make their way from Encinitas to Point Loma by foot, they will be surfing, camping, and finding interesting characters along the way who are “stoked and broke.”

“Stylemasters”: This documentation of performance surfing on the North Shore from 1977 to 1979 takes you on a journey back to a free era of change, when boards became shorter and movements more radical. A time when style was being redefined and there were no limits to where surfing could go. Discover just how big of an effect the past has had on the modern world of surfing in a retro-minded documentary that takes a trip back to the time when style was in a state of transition and the only limits were the height of the waves. By speaking candidly with such surf legends as Gerry Lopez, Peter “PT” Townend, Spyder Wills, Dan Merkel, and “Buttons” Kaluhiokalani, filmmakers find out just how surfing has changed over the last few decades, and also find out what may be in store for the future of the popular beach sport.

“One California Day”: Follow the lives of eight California surfers in the newly released film, “One California Day.” Produced by Builde Worldwide, and Co-Directed by Mark Jeremias (maker of DRIVE) and Jason Baffa (maker of Singlefin:Yellow), this super 16mm film stars Joel Tudor, Chris Malloy, Alex Knost, Tyler Warren, Jimmy Gamboa, Joe Curren, Dane Perlee, and Tyler Hatzikian, with special appearances by Skip Frye, Dan and Keith Malloy, Tom Curren, Gerg Noll, and Lance Carson

Our friends at the AMP Organization are at it again with their 3rd Annual Cut and Paste Rock and Roll event tomorrow night!  The event which will be held at DiPiazza’s in Long Beach (5205 East Pacific Coast Highway) starting at 7:00 PM and will feature ten different out and proud bands, live art from LGBT artists, vendors, crafters, tons of free stuff and lots of queer fun.   Proceeds from the night will benefit the The AMP Organization’s (Art, Music and Philanthropy) Queer Youth Scholarship fund supporting local LGBTQIA students who are passionate about art and the queer community.

Cut and Paste Rock and Roll is a grassroots night of celebration and recognition of queer musicians, artists and community organizations within the Los Angeles area. Based in Long Beach, CA founder Annie Parkhurst first organized this event in response to the queer movements happening in larger cities like San Francisco “Long Beach and LA need to hear our local queer voices” Parkhurst said “and the queer people of socal need a place to call their own, something different than the mainstream gay events.”

People from all over Long Beach, Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, San Diego, Bakersfield and more gather together to be apart of this event each time. The queer performers range from indie bands to spoken text and art is displayed on the walls, table tops…and people! You’ll find crafts on every table allowing every attendee to make their own queer art all night for free.

At every CPRR local artists, bands, companies and other groups pitch in to the Queer Survival Kits given to each attendee. These bags are hand decorated by local queers and in the past have included treats from: Condom Rev, Blackheart Records, Daisy Rock Guitars, Queer Control Records, The New Gay and The Trevor Project just to name a few.

Attending CPRR is fun, here is what you get!

- Free Queer Survival Kit gift bags (toys, stickers, zines ,safesex info & more) for all attendees while supplies last. Bags are hand decorated by the MYTE youth group at the Long Beach Center

- 5 Tokens to give to your favorite bands,the band with the most wins $200 in Sam Ash Music Store gift cards at the end of the night

- Be sexy and get tested for free at CPRR#3 http://www.aidshealth.org/ Free HIV Mobile Testing courtesy of AIDS Healthcare Foundation

- The Miracle Bookmobile, activating redistribution of used literature will be there with FREE BOOKS FOR ALL http://bit.ly/br7kTr

Out and Proud Queer Performers:
7PM The Bellhaunts (LA) http://bit.ly/9gnNV9
7:45 Fancy Pants (Arizona) http://bit.ly/9AZVIG
8:30 Once a Pawn (Nebraska) http://bit.ly/b3Kv7u
9:15 Wendy Ho (LA/NYC) http://bit.ly/c1KmmY
10PM Rough Duchess (LA) http://bit.ly/9V8rpM
10:45 LONG BEACH DRAG KINGS!!!!!!!!!
11:30 Metahuman (LA) http://bit.ly/aptry4
12:15 Spare Parts For Broken Hearts (OC) http://bit.ly/bZrfCe
1:00 Box Squad (SF) http://bit.ly/aahueu

Giveaways and raffle prizes will include:
- Hot Topic basket full of rocknroll clothes, gear and gift cards
- Wine basket and accessories from Wild Coyote
- Passes to the Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific
- Passes to Long Beach Comic Con
- Annual passes to AMP events
and more!!

LGBT Community orgs & Crafty Vendors include (Bring CA$H)
- There Goes the Neighborhood
- Long Beach YELP
- Haute Green Designs
- Sew Gay
- Queer Trash
- Kristen DeWitt
- Gilardi
- Conciencia Femenil

Live art by: – Kale Likover

Stage props and art by: -Nick Lopez

CPRR#3 Photo booth by: D’licious Chaos

CPRR Online: http://www.cutandpasterockandroll.com/

AMP Online: http://www.amporg.org/

Check out our Facebook photo album for complete photo coverage of the day or check out a few of our favorites below:

The Long Beach Roller Derby held another sold out event Friday night as the Bixby Rollerettes took on the the 4th Street Retro Rollers.  In what turned out to be another nail biter night filled with crashes, a few near injuries and the like, the Bixby Rollerettes came out on top with a score of 158 to 153.   So tally for the season is now Terminal Island Tootsies 2 Wins and Bixby Rollerettes 1 Win.

The crowd was entertained prior to the bout by the Champanties and an awesome rendition of the National Anthem performed by Michael Cartwright.    Sirena Serpentina’s  fire dancing half time performance mixed sensual choreography with firery props. Some of the flaming fingers went out and one fire ball was accidently hurled close to the audience but hey that’s part of the excitement of attending a LBRD bout.

Stay tuned for more info on the semi-final and championship events planned for October and December!

Representatives from the Human Rights Campaign, the Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club, First Congregational Church, Lambda Legal, Long Beach City Council, AMP Organization and the Center Long Beach all took to the stage to inform the crowd of what the Prop 8 ruling means and to remind everyone that the fight for equality is not over.

Council Member Robert Garcia reminded everyone that although this is a day to celebrate, we must not ever forget how we felt that day in November when when the LGBT community lost the vote on Prop 8.   He urged supporters not to become complacent just because Prop 8 has been overturned.    This sentiment has been echoed throughout the LGBT community, since an official stay has been issued pending appeal.

So while we await the next steps in this battle…we can still be thankful that we have made yet another leap in the right direction toward equality for all.

While reading all of the posts on Facebook and various news blogs about the Prop 8 Ruling, I came across this comment that I thought I would share:

“This is the first time I have ever cried about this entire mess. In 2 years of living it here in California.

I can finally just let go of all the anger and emotion I’ve held in my soul these last 2 years. Tears. Lots of tear. Thank god I have a private office.

I know this is just the beginning, but just to hear the word UNCONSTITUTIONAL. Just to hear someone acknowledge my humanity, our humanity.

Lots and lots of tears.”

Below is a quick summary of the Conclusion as outlined at Prop8TrialTracker.com.

CONCLUSION
Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples.  Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis,the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

REMEDIES
Plaintiffs have demonstrated by overwhelming evidence that Proposition 8 violates their due process and equal protection rights and that they will continue to suffer these constitutional violations until state officials cease enforcement of Proposition 8.  California is able to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, as it has already issued 18,000 marriage licenses to same-sex couples and has not suffered any demonstrated harm as a result, see FF 64-66; moreover, California officials have chosen not to defend Proposition 8 in these proceedings.

Because Proposition 8 is unconstitutional under both the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses, the court orders entry of judgment permanently enjoining its enforcement; prohibiting the official defendants from applying or enforcing Proposition 8 and directing the official defendants that all persons under their control or supervision shall not apply or enforce Proposition 8. The clerk is DIRECTED to enter judgment without bond in favor  of plaintiffs and plaintiff-intervenors and against defendants and defendant-intervenors pursuant to FRCP 58.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

More to come…..

Today is the long awaited Day of Decision in the the Prop 8 trial. Judge Walker has reached a decision on whether to uphold or overturn the California same-sex marriage ban and will be making his decision public this afternoon.    The decision will will be announced today between 1pm and 3pm today and will be followed by rallies throughout California, including one right here in Long Beach at Bixby Park at 6:00 pm.   We hope to see all of you there!

The federal trial over the unconstitutionality of Proposition 8 will began back in January, led by attorneys Theodore Olson and David Boies.   The challenge was brought on by Kris Perry, Sandy Stier, Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo, who comprise two couples who wish to be married but who were denied marriage licenses because of Proposition 8.  The argument was made that unequal treatment of gays and lesbians denies them the basic liberties and equal protection under the law that are guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

It is probable that whatever the decision is today, that this will represent just one step in a long legal battle.   Poliglot noted on their blog post today that:

Today, regardless of the decision, not much — in terms of actual change — will likely happen. Because both sides have made clear — and Judge Walker has acknowledged — that they plan to appeal should they lose on Wednesday, it is likely that a temporary stay would be granted, which would halt the enforcement of the ruling until an appeal can be heard by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. AFER’s spokesman confirmed to Metro Weekly that the Proposition 8 proponents, who intervened in the case to oppose the plaintiffs, have filed a conditional motion to stay the trial court decision pending the outcome of the appeal.

To review the in depth FAQ regarding today’s decisions please visit Poliglot.com.

Thursday August 5th @ 7pm: “Chasing Legends”  - New Tour de France Film
Gripped Films presents Chasing Legends, a feature length documentary following the HTC-Columbia Team through the 2009 Tour De France. All of cycling is desperate for heroes they can believe in, Gripped Films gives them Team HTC-Columbia like they have never seen, through an intense and personal glimpse inside the most winning professional cycling team as told by the riders, current and past heroes. Included in the film will be commentary from Eddy Merckx, Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen, Jens Voigt, Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, Mark Cavendish and many others.

Chasing Legends highlights the greatest heroes in professional cycling with a dramatic show of teamwork and panache from Team HTC-Columbia through the 2009 Tour de France. The film takes viewers on an absolutely epic ride into the race action. Using a multitude of high tech, high def cameras mounted on bikes, motorcycles, helicopters and team cars, Gripped Films will also include historical race footage, artistic travelogue of the European countryside and villages with narration from the voice of cycling for the USA, Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen.

In the wings:
• Starting August 13th, “Eat Pray Love” starring Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem & James Franco
Ryan Murphy’s adaptation of author Elizabeth Gilbert’s best-selling memoir. In the eyes of many, Gilbert was a woman who had it all — a loving husband, a great apartment, and a weekend home — but sometimes one realizes too little too late that they haven’t gotten what they truly wanted from life. On the heels of a painful divorce, the woman who had previously looked forward to a contented life of domesticated bliss sets out to explore the world and seek out her true destiny.

•Fri August 27 Midnite: NINE INCH NAILS concert film “Another Version of the Truth: The Gift”
The film was assembled by a group of passionate fans under the project name of “This one is on us” using band-shot footage that they released as a “gift” of the 2008-2009 Nine Inch Nails North America ‘Lights in the Sky’ tour.

• Sat August 28 Midnite: MOGWAI concert film ‘BURNING’
Seminal Scottish rock band Mogwai are thrilled to announce their first official live concert film release, “Burning”. The film, directed by Vincent Moon and Nathanael Le Scouarnac of the world-renowned La Blogotheque’s Take-Away Shows, was shot at the band’s sold-out three-night residency at Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg in April 2009.

About The Art Theatre:
Voted THE NUMBER ONE INDEPENDENT THEATRE in Long Beach by OC Weekly and District Weekly, the Art opened as a silent movie theatre and included a pipe organ and orchestra pit. It is the oldest operating single screen house in Long Beach in 1924. Our art deco, streamline moderne-style historical landmark is famous for its screening of the most imaginative and stimulating independent, documentary, animated, alternative lifestyle, and foreign language films. After one million dollars of loving restoration, and the addition of a wine bar and coffee bar to round out a full evening experience, we are proud to continue this long-running tradition.

www.arttheatrelongbeach.com
2025 East 4th Street
Long Beach, CA 90814-1001
(562) 438-5435

The ladies of Long Beach Roller Derby are back with their Summer of Slam bout between the 4th Street Retro Rollers and the Bixby Rollerettes for the third bout of the Long Beach Roller Derby’s premiere season.  If you hadn’t had a chance to catch one of these events, then make sure to buy your tickets and head down to the Dome by the Queen Mary Friday night, August 6th.

Tickets can be purchased at Moxie on 4th Street or online here.

Check out our coverage of previous bouts by clicking the links below:

Long Beach Roller Derby Re-Pete’s Success

Long Beach Roller Derby Season Opener a Smashing Success