Selling Queer premiered in New York City last night at the Village East Cinemas (2nd Ave. & 12th St.).


From IMDb.com:

Selling Queer examines what happens when a stereotype becomes a sales tool. Shot during Gay Days 2004 in Orlando, Florida, we follow several promoters and party-goers as they experience the event differently. Some cry for more charity and family, some are simply in love and others want to party. Find out who is really “Selling Queer.”

Watch a trailer here.

Here’s some press from studentfilmmakers.com:

Documentary Lets Gays Speak Out Against Corporate Corruption in the Community

By Dekker Dreyer

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.

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Rob Larry, one of the major subjects of Selling Queer, has got a blog too. Check it out.