Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride

The battle for gay Pride has gone worldwide – and into some unexpected places with unexpected results. BEYOND GAY: THE POLITICS OF PRIDE follows the journeys of Ken Coolen, president of the Vancouver Pride Society, as he experiences the triumphs and struggles, the freedom and repression, and the openness and secrecy of those who parade. As one parader says proudly, “It's not just a parade, it's a civil rights movement.” The documentary travels to the streets of cities all over the world, including San Francisco, Toronto, and New York where paraders move freely – to Sao Paulo Brazil, where the parade is a big party. In Eastern Europe where the parade scene turns restrictive, gay leaders come up with some creative ways to spread their message when a parade is banned. At once uplifting and emotional, BEYOND GAY: THE POLITICS OF PRIDE advances the educational message of Pride in a colorful and thought-provoking way. – C.K.