April Periscopes UP and OUT

Devastating Gay Viral Video Turned Film Wins Award and Presidential Praise

Director Linda Bloodworth Thomason's documentary got $25,000 prize after wowing audiences, including former President Clinton, at Tribeca Film Fest.

BY Diane Anderson-Minshall

Shane Bitney Crone's devastating 2012 Youtube video, chronicling his relationship with his late fiance, inspired Bridegroom, the documentary directed and co-produced by Linda Bloodworth Thomason, the creator of Designing Women. That riveting and moving documentary about love and loss, was announced as the winner of Tribeca's Heineken Audience Award for the Documentary last night at the wrap party in New York City. The award comes with a cash prize of $25,000.

"We are shocked. We were so grateful to just be selected for the Festival; we never imagined we would win the audience award," said Bloodworth Thomason. "Hopefully the power of this story will propel the film into theaters across America and beyond.”

Former President Bill Clinton introduced Bridegroom at the film's premiere, saying, "This is really on one level a wonderful, sad, heartbreaking, yet exhilirating and life-affirming story, and on another level, it's a story about our nation's struggle to make one more step in forming a more perfect union, for which marriage is both the symbol and the substance. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did."

Bridegroom will screen on Sunday, April 28, as will the rest of the films that won awards at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival. Full details and specific timing can be found at TribecaFilm.com.

Local Community Based LA Corp Recognized by RED Door Foundation 

 

Congratulations to The Living Affected Corporation's founder and CEO, Diedra Levi and colleague COP 24/7 Execurtive Producer, Cornelius Mabin on being selected as "Flamethrower" honorees of the Red Door Foundation. This important recognition continues to engergize my comittment to bridging my online persona and my work throughout the local LGBTQ community and beyond. Even though I certainly appreciate being singled out for my body of work, what matters for myself is the imagery, communication and leadership I attempt to provide to those future "flamethrowers" who will fill my blazed path. I encourage my readers, supporters and subscribers to consider sharing a monetary gift with this vital community based organization that is pursuing chainging social norms and transforming individuals through advoacy and empowerment. Go to www.livingaffected.org to make your tax deductiable contribution.