I’m filling in for Maria for a couple days, but I’ll try not to mess up her system.

I caught this the other day on PRWeb:

A new documentary, “Selling Queer” chronicles the events of Gay Day 2004 in Orlando, Florida. One of the nation’s largest gay-oriented vacation weeks, Gay Day brings over 150,000 travelers to the area and has been the target of numerous protests due to its close affiliation with the Walt Disney World Resort.

According to the Gay Days promoters over $110,000,000 is brought into the central Florida economy during the week long party event. Of that money under $10,000 went to charity. The promoters claim that the benefit to the local gay community comes from the influx of capital into the venues and then trickles down to the extra man power that must be hired. If this is true, then why are many of the gay-owned and operated businesses in Orlando’s so-called “Rainbow Row” closing their doors immediately following the event? Why are circuit party promoters like Mark Baker [Coliseum, Magic Journeys] trying to pay their talent in party tickets instead of cash? This is where “Selling Queer” breaks new ground, allowing a silent majority to be heard at a crossroads for gay rights. A majority that feels it isn’t appropriate for gay community leaders to allow corporate sponsors and mainstream media to reinforce the image of a hedonistic community of drugs and sex.

I am not so sure I’m the silent majority on this one. For a community which at times seems obsessed with TMI (too much information) on a number of issues, money seems to remain our big taboo. How and where the money goes on events like this doesn’t get a lot of press, and it’s clear from the film’s director, R. Dekker Dreyer, is determined to show both sides of this complex issue.

Selling Queer will premiere in New York City on May 4th, 2005 at the Village East Cinemas (2nd Ave. & 12th St.). The screening will take place at 8:00pm and tickets are available for $10.00 online at Ticketweb (search for Selling Queer), by phone at 1-866-468-7619 or at the box office.