GLAAD Cuts Queer Lounge From Sundance
The Queer Lounge, the homo networking hot-spot will not be operating at this year's Sundance Film Festival, in Park City, Utah. This will be the first year since the Queer Lounge launched in 2003 that it won't have a presence at Sundance.
Executive director and founder of Queer Lounge, Ellen Huang, was a former executive of the Sundance Film Festival. Her Lounge became the destination for LGBT and LGBT-friendly filmmakers and festie goers who wanted to network, attend panels, and party with the gays. "Gifting Lounges" and VIP "party spaces" have been traditionally set up through-out the Festival to match high-profile celebrities, marketers, with other industry types. The effects of the economy have caused other organizations to opt out of Sundance this year.
GLAAD acquired the Queer Lounge in 2007, and Huang remained as director. This year, GLAAD has decided to cut $200,000 dollar program and instead create panel discussions and events directly with Sundance Institute, the Festival's parent organization. GLAAD spokes person Rashad Robinson told the Salt Lake Tribune, "Our goal is to raise visibility. Our goals were different than a company setting up a gifting suite."
I wonder how successful GLAAD will be in generating the same excitement without having a queer hangout and some swag giveaways. From what I gathered Ellen Huang did a great job of bringing people together and creating a successful networking environment.
An interesting footnote, GLAAD has now absorbed two queer non-profits, the Commercial Closet in addition to QL. Both brands have now been dismantled into an amalgam of GLAAD-ness.
Here's an amusing look back at 2007 QL.
Comments [50]
It's fun watching everyone
It's fun watching everyone trying to pitch their products. It's a lot like the American Library Association conference with all of the publishers trying to get librarians to buy their books, only they tend to not say stuff like "Girltrash is about ass-kicking girls kicking ass!" to a bunch of stuffy, academic librarians. lol ;)
I actually watched part of GirlTrash online recently and really liked it.
"Fight Prime Time. Read a Book"
Hahaha
I'd buy more at conferences if they did mention Girltrash!
Civility is not a sign of weakness.
lol..I was thinking that
lol..I was thinking that too. Library conferences would be a lot more fun with people like Angela Robinson around.
"Fight Prime Time. Read a Book"
What is a gifting suite?
What is a gifting suite? So I'm just thinking a place where people are invited and given free shit. That seems too.. yeah I guess that's it.
Google it
What do you think Google is for, my dear?
Civility is not a sign of weakness.
I know, I know. Lazy.
I know, I know. Lazy. Thanks to the link provided by Joanne Robertson, I found out that it's a place where I can get Padded panties that help lift, shape and enhance my booty by Booty Pop as well as Chic portion-control plates from Slimware.
Can I get a side
Can I get a side of Anorexia Hollywoodosa with that, please.
We need a gay gifting suite
We need a gay gifting suite where they only give away "red beans and rice didn't miss her" food.
"Thanks to the link provided
"Thanks to the link provided by Joanne Robertson, I found out that it's a place where I can get Padded panties that help lift, shape and enhance my booty."
LOL!
"Fight Prime Time. Read a Book"
.
.
I loved the way
Kate looked at Leisha
Anything to do with OurChart, just makes me giggle.
Leisha in the middle
I just watched it again and poor Leisha was totally stuck in the middle, with Ilene droning on like a bad sales rep and Kate wondering why the grow folks were making her sit through all the boring BS. We're here to get people to come on the site. Done. Can I go find the fun now?
I think its funny htat the
I think its funny htat the first 4 minutes of the film is all guys and kate looks like my kids when they are tolerating some long boring leson and rtying to be polite.
Totally understand the eco thing, though. I think they coulc do this without the mphasis on giving away shit.
Girltrash
Hahaha, that's true about how Kate appeared in that video. But, hey, did you spot Angela Robinson talking about her web-venture, Girltrash? Angela is currently making a film for GIRLTRASH, yay!
Civility is not a sign of weakness.
i found girltrash the movie site
http://www.girltrashallnightlong.com
Fuckin LouAnn!
Can't wait for it to come out, Minnie. I never need an excuse to wear my GirlTrash t-shirt.
Fuckin LouAnn!
"When you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it, you surely will." ~ Pollyanna
Yup!
I did see that. I like Angela, b ut I never could get into the gt thing.
I find the whole
"gifting lounge" thing quite nauseating ... throwing freebies at the already blessed, really makes me *cringe*
GLAAD continues to puzzle me ...
Dude, not everybody who works
Dude, not everybody who works in film is making movie star salaries -- particularly folks who work in independent film, like many of the folks who show their work at or attend Sundance.
Yeah, I know
but do the up & coming (non wealthy/famous) people get given all these free gifts?
I know the product placement/gifting suite thing is just American capitalism at it's finest, but a lot of it still weirds me out. Particularly when they give expensive random things, to rich & famous who do not need another thing.
I just think it's gross that in order to get people to pay attention to your project these days, you have to dangle carrots in front of them ... in the form of mineral powder; designer clothes; jewels; sunglasses etc
Yes they do. I've worked at
Yes they do. I've worked at a number of film festivals and helped put together gift bags for the filmmakers and most of them are average folks who maxed out their credit cards to make their movie and held a bake sale to pay for the plane ticket to watch their film screen at the fest. Of course, they also go there to make nice with distributors and studio types to try to get a deal or a job.
Oh, and the stuff that goes in the bags is usually donated by businesses who are using the fest as a way to reach a particular audience. Also why so many liquor companies give free booze to fests to serve at their parties.
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Not at Sundance...
Well, the Dinah, I, a totally nonfamous, nonwealthy person got "gifted." It was kinda fun. I am still using up my freebie stash of suntan lotion and my pool towel still comes in handy.
Civility is not a sign of weakness.
Doesn't that lotion matte
Doesn't that lotion matte your fur?
But, but, but.....
Actually, ignore what I said
Maclassie ... I'm the kind of person who feels embarrassed for the person trying to give me free food samples at the supermarket
I have a very low *cringe* threshold
Enjoy your swag, just say "no" to the free car or motorbike!!
Vespa?
I would have a hard time turning down a Vespa from the devil himself. Especially one of the classic variety. Though, if it was pink, I could so walk away. I hate that bullshit of marketing everything for women in pink.
Vespa means wasp in Italian.
Vespa means wasp in Italian. That's irrelevant, but it was info kicking around in my brain.
Gosh... speaking of pink.
Tae, you just reminded me of how pissed off I got at Toys R Us recently while Christmas shopping....
All of the fun toys were in the blue identified 'boys' toy department. While the boring kitchen 'toys' and dolls were in the 'pink' girls section. That is sooo 1950's. WTF, don't young parents care about the stereotyping of gender roles? Seeing that 'encouraged' me to ask the manager who's decision it was to segregate the toys and place them into 'pink'(girls) and 'blue'(boys) toy sections....You know what he told me - they've done research, and the parents like it that way.
OMG, the times they aren't a changin' !!
Pinkstinks campaign:
http://www.pinkstinks.co.uk/
I actually don't mind pink, I just wish they would market girls items in all the shades of the rainbow and quit this princess obsession.
Actually Joanne, I adore pink...
But - when it's used, as it is with toys, to segregate children into their 'proper' place, it infuriates me.
I've often felt that if boy's played with 'dolls' when they were growing up, that perhaps they may grow into more compassionate fathers. While, if girls were exposed to dump trucks and 'creative', thought provoking toys, instead of only baby dolls and pretend kitchens, that more young girls may grow up to be architects and scientists.
I guess it has a lot to do with the standards that parents set for their children... If parents believe that the 'status quo' is good enough, then 'pink' and 'blue' standards of child development will never change.
I wish parents would
think more about the subconscious brain washing, that happens from toddler-hood (to both sexes).
The basis of this issue is as much homophobia, as it is sexism. Let's face it, parents guide their kids away from certain toys, sports, because there's a deep rooted (ridiculous) fear of it bringing out the gay.
Boys are steered away from "nurturing" activities, dance and pink because it makes people uncomfortable ... again, the gay.
"Have a rugby ball, son".
This is true, but there is
This is true, but there is hope. When I look at pics of myself as a child, I realize that the constant efforts to brainwash me into a dainty little heterosexual had no effect whatsoever. It may not seem like four-year-olds can resist brainwashing, but apparently they can!
Baseballs or Glass Dolls
I tried and tried to get my daughter to play with baseballs and Hot Wheels cars, but she just kept gravitating toward glass dolls and tea sets. Though she did have a sword and awsome leather tunic vest that she loved.
Now she's one of the queerest femmes on the planet. And absolutely lovely.
It's funny
I was obsessed with dolls, Barbie, Princess Diana and pink .... but I was equally obsessed with my "CHiPS" ride-on motorbike and my brother's Action Man Dolls and model soldiers
Hmm...
Veeeery interesting.
I should have added
I'm femme & 100% for the ladies.
Skirt on a Bike
is a nice combo. Do you still ride, or did you give it up when you outgrew your first?
Yes
and I would add that most people, by their mid 20's and definitely their 30's (for a woman) ... will be who they will be, regardless of what family think!
Great points Joanne...
I totally agree with you.
Even crazier
Public schools often encourage their librarians to create Girls and Boys reading shelves. Oh yes! Our daughters being told outright that they are not supposed to be interested in big rigs and rodeos. Shit pisses me off, and when it comes to this crap, I do not go quietly.
I'm glad the kids have you on their side....
That is just insane.... It's no wonder that girls fall behind boys, in math and the sciences, in so many public school systems.
I understand Joanne, I hate free cheese at the grocery store...
But, when Sony Pictures forces me to take a flat screen home, how can I say no? I'm a studio whore, and proud of it!!
Did you say free car?
Dilemmas
dilemmas!
hmmmm
goal is visibility...
lets take away the platform people...and NO getting on shoulders...
makes TOTAL sense!
GLAAD MAKES ME SICK!
How irresponsible can a non profit be....$200,000 a year to host the queer lounge....so they can pretend they are in "Show" business. We donate $1350 a year to this organization and they waste 200 GRAND a year partying in utah...feeding money to the state that was the biggest contributor to the hate 8 campaign.........
someone ought to look into the spending practices of a non profit on parties...
shame on you!
and shame on ellen and the queer lounge for pissing off sundance and having a backlash against gay films
The story is that GLAAD is
The story is that GLAAD is cancelling the lounge so how exactly are they wasting money? Additionally, I'm not sure it is a waste- Supporting gay filmmakers is one of many ways to increase queer visibility and as a filmmaker who also happens to be the founder of a filmmakers networking organization I can assure you that networking is vital in independent film.
And how has GLAAD or Ellen Huang pissed off Sundance? Sundance is very supportive of gay film, gay films have been some of Sundance's most talked about and successful screenings, gay filmmakers report great experiences at Sundance... If anything it seems likely that the Queer Lounge will be missed rather than it's creation causing anger (since Ellen was the creator I can only guess that that's what you mean when you refer to her 'pissing off' Sundance). I doubt there will be any backlash from this decision, just some disappointed queer filmmakers.
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you missed the point my friend - glaad wastes 200,000
GLAAD doesn't need to pay 200,000 grand a year to ellen so she can have the queerlounge which was not a sponsor of Sundance. The money 200,000 is a lot of money and it does not support gay filmmakers at sundance. Gay filmmakers are supported by SUNDANCE and the queer longe was a "party for ellen and her friends" that GLADD paid for......THAT IS A DIRECT WASTE OF MY $1350 donation to them. They are an anti defimation organization that has no business shelling out $200,000 a year for a party at Sundance.
FYI- my fellow filmmaking friend...that $200,000 and more that ellen raised and spent in utah each year IN NO WAY BENIFITED SUNDANCE so therefore in order to knock the queerloung out, SUNDANCE cut back on the persentage of gay films each year since the queerlounge pumped money into utah and not through SUNDANCE!
So now that Sundance got rid of the queer lounge and ellen, they are talking the money directly from GLAAD and doing the same thing themselves...ELLEN SHOULD SUE GLAAD!.....
BUT I still think it sucks that GLAAD spends so much money on B.S. and trying to party with the stars......
I think you've missed the point
"The money 200,000 is a lot of money and it does not support gay filmmakers at sundance"
Actually, it does. The QL main goal is to provide networking opportunities for gay filmmakers and to promote gay films.
"queer longe was a "party for ellen and her friends""
Sounds like you have a personal issue with Ellen.
"Gay filmmakers are supported by SUNDANCE"
yes, but many of the gay films don't have the budget to compete for awareness during the festival as the big budget celebrityfilms. QL provides that service.
"spent in utah each year IN NO WAY BENIFITED SUNDANCE"
I know one year QL was an official venue of Sundance. And with last year's threatened boycott of Sundance, and QL rejecting that call, Sundance did benefit. Hell, last year John Cooper, the head of Sundance, did a panel at the QL. Robert Redford has attended the Queer Lounge.
I've never been to Sundance
I've never been to Sundance (don't do snowy & cold), have you? I have worked at and attended lots of other film festivals. At film festivals they have lounges for the filmmakers to hang out and network with their fellow filmmakers, get on the internet, have a few drinks, etc. Film festivals also have panel discussions where you can learn something about other filmmakers, how to get your film made or seen, or any of dozens of other topics. This is what the Queer Lounge was. It was a place for filmmakers to meet other filmmakers or learn more about their chosen craft. That to an independent filmmaker (especially a queer one) is invaluable.
Yes, GLAAD is the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Therefore a good chunk of their job is increasing visibility of gays and lesbians, which includes filmmakers and films. Since the Queer Lounge also hosted parties to which straight folks were invited and promoted the queer films at Sundance it sounds to me like the Lounge was definitely doing their job.
A factual error in your comment above- Sundance didn't get rid of the Queer Lounge, GLAAD pulled the plug. They're probably suffering in this economy like a lot of other non-profits and made a decision to spend the $200k somewhere else. If you have some evidence that Sundance is somehow planning to cut back on the number of queer films it programs I'd love to see that. I happen to know Sundance's programmer and he's a straight ally who I don't imagine has any intention of cutting back on queer programming. In fact, Sundance programmed queer films long before the Queer Lounge existed, the fest has always been one of our supporters and queer films that have premiered at Sundance have been some of the festival's most successful and most talked about. Sundance needs us as much as we need Sundance.
You're a filmmaker? Didn't know that. Your VPM profile isn't filled out.
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Mergers and acquisitions
I hope the GLAAD-sponsored panel discussions will be broadcast. I have enjoyed seeing videos from the Gueer Lounge in the past few years and learning about queer films & filmmakers at Sundance.
I do understand that in this economy you need to keep expenses down, but I hope that queer filmmakers can still find a way to have "fun with a purpose" as Ellen Huang says, even without the Queer Lounge.
Civility is not a sign of weakness.