Earlier this week, through the magic of fark, my attention was drawn to an article in the Harrisburg Patriot-News (which, at one point in my life, might have been considered my “hometown” paper) about protests at a Potter County PA library over the screening of a documentary dealing with the gay experience in rural America (specifically western Pennsylvania) called Out In The Silence, led by a coalition of (surprise, surprise) conservative Christian groups and (at least initially) the leader of the local Tea Party group. These folks were upset that a film that they imagined would offend their delicate sensibilities would be shown in a public library that they “support with [their] tax money”, and they felt that they were being “attacked for [their] beliefs”.

Due to the protests and assorted threats, the screening and Q&A with the filmmakers was almost cancelled, but in the end went ahead due to the library’s commitment to “intellectual freedom,” and was, by most accounts, a success, fostering on some level a dialogue in the community about the concepts of homophobia and tolerance.

As long-time readers are sure to be aware, homophobia and intolerance are really my hot button issues, not in small part because of my experience growing up in rural Pennsylvania, and my rejection of the casual sorts of ignorant bigotry common among many in the region – I’ve written about this kind of thing before.

Those same long-term readers wouldn’t be at all surprised that I decided I needed to see this film.

So, I did a little research, and as luck would have it, the film happened to be screening Tuesday night in DC just a short Metro ride from where I’m staying this week as part of a summer film series presented by Docs In Progress, a non-profit organization that helps “experienced and emerging documentary filmmakers make better films by giving them the tools to foster and improve their skills at all stages of the filmmaking process.” Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer, the guys who made Out In The Silence were some of those filmmakers.

So, I ventured out to Dupont Circle tonight, saw the film followed by a half hour of questions and answers with the filmmakers.

So, about the film:

The idea for Out In The Silence came about after Wilson and Hamer published their wedding announcement in the local paper in Oil City, PA, where Wilson grew up. Soon, a veritable shitstorm of angry letters to the paper decrying the very existence of homosexuality and the evils of gay marriage. The couple return to visit the town, cameras in hand, hoping to document the controversy (and learn filmmaking in the process). During their experience, they meet an out gay teen who’s experienced often violent prejudice from his peers, a lesbian couple working to rehabilitate a bit of the struggling rust belt community, and a conservate pastor with whom they develop a surprising friendship that challenges the beliefs and worldviews on both sides of the relationship.

Above all, Out In The Silence highlights the fact that it’s possible for the often deeply-ingrained prejudices against outsiders and minorities to change when people are given the chance to talk about issues of prejudice and homophobia (or in some cases, politely confronted with the issue by people with the courage to challenge the conventional wisdom), and find common ground in the American experience.

Consider it highly recommended. The film does a great job of capturing the experience of life in rural Pennsylvania, both the good and the bad, and is very effective at shining a light on the kinds of ideas prevalent there that really ought to be challenged. It’s definitely worth seeking out, and is exactly the kind of thing people in the kinds of rural communities portrayed in the film really ought to see.

As for where to see it? It’s aired on many PBS stations across the country, and there have been numerous screenings, both at festivals and libraries and such, particularly in Pennsylvania (Joe and Dean are aiming to show the film in every county in PA – a worthy goal). You can also purchase the DVD or download it from itunes and Amazon VoD, if you’re so inclined (I just handed Dean 20 bucks bought one at the screening).

Again, this film is worth your time; seek it out.