Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Festival opens with documentary about relationship between two women

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The third annual “Reel Queer Film Festival” at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign kicks off April 1 (Thursday) with “Ruthie and Connie: Every Room in the House,” a documentary film about love and friendship – and the price two Jewish women paid for it.

A reception will follow in the Link Gallery of the Art and Design Building, 408 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign.

All films in the three-day festival (April 1-3) are free and open to the public, and all films begin at 7 p.m. in 120 Architecture Building, 608 E. Loredo Taft Drive, Champaign.

April 2, “Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin.” Rustin was an activist in the civil rights movement. Bennett Singer, one of the directors, will introduce the film and answer questions afterward. At noon on the same day Bennett will participate in “Lunch & Learn” at the African-American Cultural Program, 708 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana.

April 3, a double feature: “Die Mommie Die,” a campy Hollywood murder mystery, and “Venus Boyz,” a documentary about drag kings.

The festival is sponsored by the Office for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Concerns and Women’s Programs. Other sponsors: African-American Cultural Program, the Black Law Students Association, Central Black Student Union, Hillel Foundation, U. of I. alumnus Michael Hughes, Jewish Law Students Association, the Office of the Dean of Students, Sexual Orientation & Legal Issues Society (SOLIS) of the law school, the Student Bar Association (SBA), Q (a student group at Allen Residence Hall) and University Housing.

For more information contact LGB&T Concerns at 217-244-8863.

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