These days it seems that just about every city in America has its very own LGBT film festival, so it’s easy to forget the time when these events were rare and acted as powerful statements meant to raise awareness and give an audience to our community’s many voices. They allowed us to see our lives portrayed on screen, for the first time, in a true and accurate way.

Now that plans have been announced for Side By Side the first ever international Russian lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender film festival, we are again reminded of the effect such events can have to affect change.

In a country that has made headlines for its mistreatment of LGBT citizens as recently as May of this year, when a peaceful demonstration for gay rights in Moscow ended in violence (for the second time), this announcement offers a glimmer of hope to the gay community in Russia that they may be gaining ground in the fight for acceptance. Much more than simple entertainment, such an event has the possibility to change minds and bring some much needed attention to their struggle.

Says festival organizer Irina Sergeeva:

This is a landmark event for lesbian and gay culture in Russia. We want to raise public awareness about lesbian and gay life and confront those very prejudices that permeate through our society. We hope that the Side by Side film festival will lead to a fruitful dialogue with the public at large, stimulating positive debate and in turn engendering greater understanding and broader acceptance of those who live a lifestyle considered 'different' from the preconceived norms.

Here’s hoping that the event is able to get off the ground and will be able to stand up to the protests that will undoubtedly erupt when word gets out to the country’s substantial anti-gay population.

The Side By Side International Film Festival is to be held on October 2nd through 5th in Saint Petersburg. The official website offers information on submitting films for screening consideration as well as a Paypal account where donations can be made to support the festival.

When thinking of gay film festivals, Frameline (San Francisco), Newfest (New York) and Outfest (Los Angeles) might be the first ones that come to mind. However, the 13th Annual Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival is the largest event of its kind on the East coast with over 30,000 attendees.

This year the festival runs July 12th - July 24th and offers a diverse collection of documentaries, short films and feature films. You can also expect appearances from RuPaul, Anthony Rapp, Michael Carbonaro and more. It is sure to be a hot event. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Black Beulahs
"This colorful and engaging profile of three gay residents of a conservative South African borough reflects upon issues of image, identity and integration. "

Bears
"In this delightfully exciting, furry twist on contest documentaries like Spellbound, bearish contestants compete for the ultimate prize to represent their community."

The Gay Bed And Breakfast Of Terror
"An unusual amalgam, Gay B&B features a stunning selection of buff male flesh, plenty of belly laughs and loads of bloody, mutilated guests!" (pictured at left)

Lastly, there will be a special screening of Mommie Dearest. The Philly Film Festival is calling for everyone to "bring your wire hangers and scouring powder". If you haven't watched Mommie Dearest with a bunch of gays in one room, it is a homo-must. Be sure to remember this line as you are shouting out the words, ""I should've known you'd know where to find the boys and the booze!"

For ticket information you can go directly to the web site.

Check out the trailer below!

Now that Jerry Falwell has met his maker, apparently hell has also frozen over, pigs are flying, and the moon is made of green cheese. That's right, because in its promotional materials for this year's Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the fine folks at Outfest assure us that Jesus is totally down with the gays.

No, really. And here's why.

In the beginning is Save Me, which opens the festival on July 12. Starring Chad Allen (The Donald Strachey Mystery Series), Judith Light (Ugly Betty) and Robert Gant (Queer as Folk), it's the story of two men, played by Allen and Gant -- both out gay actors -- living in an ex-gay ministry run by Light's character.

Then on July 17, they'll screen the documentary For the Bible Tells Me So:

Filmmaker Daniel Karslake explores the way religious conservatives have misled the public into believing the Bible forbids homosexuality through the unfolding of five moving stories of Christian families with gay or lesbian members, including the Gephardts, and the reflections of major Biblical scholars.

Next on the ticket is The Believers:

Hallelujah - the world's first transgender gospel choir has taken the stage! THE BELIEVERS revolutionizes popular conceptions about faith, gender identity and sexuality. Director Todd Holland is granted intimate access as choir members open up about the pain - and joy - that has brought them together. Buoyed by the transcendent force of music, we witness people who are brave enough to be their true selves and we experience the healing power of acceptance in this moving film that quite literally sings.

Then there's Rock Haven, which hits Harlequin-esque heights in the descriptive prose department:

Deeply religious Brady credits his new home on the Sonoma coast with bringing him closer to God. Imagine his surprise when his reinvigorated “walk with Christ” leads right to his hunky neighbor Clifford. The young men feel an immediate magnetism, sending Brady spinning into a liturgical tailspin. Boldly allowing the natural silence of Sonoma to speak volumes for these “closeted romantics,” ROCK HAVEN bridges the chasm between piety and passion.

Then they wrap up the Big Gay Religious Theme Fest with We're All Angels, which the festival program describes thusly:

Jason and deMarco are gay, Christian, and in love. They're also a pop music duo whose sexuality often pits them against evangelicals, while their faith meets resistance within the gay community. They crisscross the country performing in dance clubs, churches and at gay pride events as they prepare to release a new, mainstream album. At once a love story, a tale of religious struggle and a musical journey, this intimate, behind-the-scenes film shines the spotlight on two charismatic rising stars.

You can get the whole schedule and check out the forty million totally irreligious after-parties and special events our queer brothers and sisters in the Southland have planned on the Outfest website.

• A "lucky" fan paid Elton John $200,000 to serenade him with "Rocket Man" on Thursday night.



 

• Isaiah Washington tells blogger and CNN regular Keith Boykin that evil mastermind T.R. Knight not only created a hostile work environment and engineered his firing in order to boost his career, but is also out to get Patrick Dempsey fired too. He went on to reveal that Knight is also the reason the U.S. went to war with Iraq and is plotting absolute world domination by 2015.
• Katherine Heigl launches a line of scrubs. This is so Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead I can't even stand it -- Joanna Cassidy is going to show up in a bad wig any minute now and ruin everything!
• Hallmark apologized for a Father's Day card with a "queer" joke. What, no apologies for the "I love you, Mom, but not in a lezzie way" Mother's Day cards?
• AfterEllen.com's guide to LGBT film fests -- totally resourcey
• Out.com wants you to nominate folks for their annual Out 100 List. That's nice, but our Hot 100 List is so much more fun.