Queer Youth Nation
Videos made by queer youth from across the USA and Canada, 94 minutes. Curated by Ana Lopez. Produced by REACH LA in collaboration with the LA Gay and Lesbian Center’s Youth Services.

As a seventeen-year-old Chicana lesbian, I know what it feels like to be 'out' to the world. I also know that there are many teenagers out there that feel alone and really don't have anyone that they can relate to. I feel that a show like this would help LGBTQ teens to know that they are not alone. It will help them understand themselves better by hearing the personal stories and struggles of other youth like them.

The videos screened in this show cover a variety of different issues that queer youth face everyday from discrimination to activism, from poetry to queer punk scene and love & friendship where you find it, from chat lines to group homes. Not only will this show motivate youth to speak out for a better queer future, but it will make youth knowledgeable of the real queer world out there. - Ana Lopez

PROGRAM:

Keep on Living by Safe Space, LA Tigre and Paper Tiger, NY.
In collaboration with the band La Tigre, Paper Tiger Television organized a group of GLBTQ youth to produce a music video for the song "Keep On Living" that is projected during live performances of the song.

Fenced Out by Paper Tiger,
NY
Produced with New Neutral Zone and Fierce! This tape documents the fight for the Christopher St. Pier - one of the only places in New York City where youth of color, low income, homeless and l/g/b/t/q youth can hang out. In the summer of 2000, fences were built on the spot where the kids congregated, for construction for a new state park. This tape shows the history of the Pier’s
significance in the Gay community and the struggle and plan of action to save it.

Queer Magik by Video Machete,
Chicago, IL
Lesbian pride march in Chicago as covered by lesbian girl video workshop.

Gay Girls on the P. L. by Ana Lopez – REACH LA,
Los Angeles, CA
Love or not on the Party line. Girls meeting girls and bringing each other drama. How and over the phone chat line works and what drama it brings! Queer Drama!!!

My Name Girl Emily Green,
Chicago, IL
Emily Green scrutinizes the board games and barbie dolls that lay down the law of gender and sexuality. but what does she do when her own dad leaves her mom for another man?

Bathroom Stories by Elyse Montague,
MA
"It isn’t fair to split our society into two genders." Bathroom Stories confronts the struggle of gender questioning and transgender people, as well as negative constructions of difference.

Slambox Episode 3 by Youth Speaks and Mad Lab Creative

Untitled by Tiger, San Francisco, CA
Flash animation and powerful spoken word piece about the homophobia in the high school hallways and finding true love.

Queer Core by Scott Treleaven,
Toronto, Canada
The filmmaker creates an investigation of the history and culture of homocore
punk rock, a counter-reaction to masculine homophobic punks, started with
zines, films and music shows.

Through Their Eyes by Appalshop, KY
Young people from the Appalachian Mountains discuss the unique experience of
queer youth in an isolated, rural community.

Story of Veronica by Alma Barrera & Rocio Martinez, Roosevelt HS, Los Angeles, CA
How a friend comes to the aid of a young woman coming to terms with her sexuality.

Black Hair Black Eyed by Julie Whang,
San Francisco, CA
From what sources does a young Korean-American woman draw her sense of
identity? From her mother, who provides the kim chee recipe and offers to
pick up what she needs from the Price Club? From fashion magazines, or her
own short haircut, which brings her the berating of her entire extended
family? From the boy she dances with, the girl she sleeps with, or her own
barren apartment? Black Hair and Black Eyed may raise more questions than it
answers. In its own quirky way it asks the questions that matter.

Homecoming Queen by Green Chimneys Gramercy with Paper Tiger TV, NY
Residents of Green Chimneys group home for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender youth use video to show their lives. Filmmakers celebrate and question romance and intimacy in a home, where residents come and go.