West Hollywood, California (Thursday, April 30, 2009) -Some courageous filmmaker was bound to put the pieces together on the juicy topic of outing Congressmen and other politicians. Kirby Dick has done the job with a vengeance. 
Courtesy Outrage. WeHo News. |
At times seemingly heavy-handed and pedantic, OUTRAGE nonetheless treats the topic of closeted denial and betrayal of the LGBTQ community by its own members with the gravitas the subject deserves.
Presenting the premise that closeted homosexual members of the United States Congress and other politicians have done the most damage to their own queer community, the film delves into the stories of these sad, often pathetic figures, following their scandals and in some cases rebirth, while others remain in continued denial or masquerade.
Some of the names here the alert American will recognize immediately, names like Larry Craig and James McGreevey. Others: not so much.
The startling and compelling core of OUTRAGE is how it weaves a tapestry of a wicked pattern by closeted, self-hating homosexuals and their impact on the LGBTQ community.
It’s scary to see these people in positions of tremendous power vote down law after law that would help their own citizens.
Barney Frank, congress member from Massachusetts. Courtesy Outrage. WeHo News. |
From Ronald Reagan’s gay staffers being unable and unwilling to enlighten him on the severity of AIDS and the lack of rights for the queer community to Congressman after gay Congressman voting down gay rights issues, OUTRAGE boldly calls them out and is fearless in its claims, backed with well-vetted facts and testimonials from inside sources.
The film is transfixing and appalling at the same time.
The still sad figure of ex-New York mayor Ed Koch, who never did come out and turned his back on the gay community, is heartbreaking to see.
Since Michelangelo Signorile first began outing public figures decades ago, bloggers and tabloids have taken over and offer speculation on everyone from Tom Cruise to John Travolta.
OUTRAGE focuses only on the political aspect of outing, from the Larry Kramer days of ACT UP to today.
It’s a hoot to walk the halls of the Senate and point to wall plaques of closeted homosexual Congressman, door after door.
Larry Kramer, AIDS activist. Courtesy Outrage. WeHo News. |
Especially delicious is the idea that the gayest city in America is not San Francisco or Key West: it’s D.C. where gay pages and staffers and assistants run virtually the entire dog and pony show.
A sense of tragic loss permeates the film, from opening and closing words from the pathetic disgraced Senator Larry Craig to the long suffering wife of ex-New Jersey governor-and handsome hunk, btw, James McGreevey.
Dina Matos McGreevey stood by her man while he came out to a nation and apologized for his indiscretions and for living a lie. Dina previously had no clue.
It’s a sorry thing to witness. These women are the true victims, like the classic fag hag role in some cases or in others, unwitting dupes.
The bigger victims in this are the millions of Americans who suffered at the hands of hate legislation proffered up and voted on by these closeted homosexuals, seemingly to protect their identity as perceived heterosexuals.
Elizabeth Birch. Courtesy Outrage. WeHo News. |
AIDS funds withheld, DOMA legislation signed, rights protections lost. This is the sad legacy. The good news is that when these politicians are in fact outed, they often become champions of the gay rights movement.
This joyous fact tempers the argument that outing is immoral and the choice should remain that of the individual. OUTRAGE presents activists who posit that outing these people is necessary in that they are doing incalculable damage by staying closeted and betraying their brethren.
Some of these names will surprise you, and the film is truly a must-see, with the artful cinematography of Thaddeus Wadleigh balancing the somewhat over-ponderous sound compositions of Peter Golub.
Kirby Dick, director of the much-lauded This Film Is Not Yet Rated and Oscar™ nominated 2004 twee-titled documentary Twist Of Faith gives us a film that is essential viewing for the modern American.
OPENS LAEMMLE SUNSET 5 May 5, 2009 Check Theatre for Times | 8000 Sunset Blvd. | West Hollywood, 90046 | 323-848-3500
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