Institute History
Description
With gay marriage as one of the most divisive topics in today's political arena, it is clear the fight for equal rights is far from over, and nowhere is this more evident than in small towns in the Deep South. Homosexuals in these communities lack the social outlets of their cosmopolitan brethren. However, in the face of cruelty, ridicule, and even violence, they manage to find sanctuary in the only place they are offered within hundreds of miles—gay bars.
small town gay bar presents an intimate portrait of these establishments and the patrons who inhabit them. Focusing primarily on two bars in Mississippi, Rumors and Crossroads, the film introduces us to their proprietors as they struggle to stand their ground in hostile terrain.
What resonates throughout the film is the gratefulness the patrons feel for these bars. What happens there is much more than drinking, dancing, and merriment (although there is plenty of that); more importantly, they create a "family." Director Malcolm Ingram deftly balances the joy and pain of this world and crafts a film that will connect with anyone who has ever felt oppressed and found strength with a little help from some friends.