Digital Union

With recent screenings at the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Vermont Cineslam, and the National Women's Music Festival, this powerful film created by youth from Columbus returns home for a free Pride kickoff screening. 20 Straws: Growing Up Gay follows the lives of 9 Columbus teenagers as they come into their identities as out, gay youth. From Wayne, who mistakenly thought he had AIDS as a little boy, to Denise whose mother forgot her own daughter was a lesbian, to Aris, whose hero is David Bowie, this deeply touching and courageous film will grab you with its heartfelt honesty and spirited look at being young, gay and out in high school.

About the Project:

In fall 2005, a group of Columbus youth, under the direction of video artist and Digital Union Coordinator, Liv Gjestvang, learned the video production skills to shoot and edit the story of their lives as out, gay high school students. Since its debut in Columbus in March, 2007, this 28 minute documentary has screened in London, Calgary, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, Chapel Hill and beyond.

Created in partnership with The Ohio State University’s Digital Union, the Department of English's Digital Media Project, the Wexner Cetner for the Arts, Kaleidoscope Youth Center, and with major funding from the Ohio Arts Council.

Free Screening & Discussion

Thursday, June 26, noon-1pm
OSU Urban Arts Space
50 W Town St
(614)292-8861

More info:

www.videooutreach.org