Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Questioning and Allies. It might seem like a mouthful, but De Anza’s LGBTQA club has a lot to say. This coming week, they’ll be attempting to educate and entertain students all day for two days, Feb. 13 and 14, during their “Rainbows in the Dark” film festival.

“It is important to me to keep the spirit of the club alive,” said Monika “Tommy” Statkiewicz, president of the LGBTQA club. “By throwing these kinds of events on campus, the students are reminded that the LGBTQA community exists. The purpose is not to intimidate others, but to educate and entertain in a neutral environment.”

The film festival will be held in Conference Room B in the Hinson Campus Center from 10:30 a.m. to around 7:30 p.m. both days.

Some of the movies that will be presented are documentaries like “Tongues Untied” which features the unique perspective of African-American gay men who feel they are often under-represented and the brunt of insults and jokes. Many passages of the narration are presented in a poetic style that lends strength and authority to their experiences.

“Fire,” a film originally banned in India according to David Hua, host of QueerCinema online, takes a candid look at a love that goes against Indian traditions. Rich in symbolism, “Fire” tells the story of Sita and Radha, two women who find freedom as they step out of the confines of their arranged marriages.

Another award-winning film being shown will be “Boys Don’t Cry” based on the true story of Teena Brandon, a transgender youth who preferred life in her male identity as Brandon Teena. This is an intense look at the real life events that eventually led to the betrayal, humiliation, rape and murder of Teena.

A look at the dark side of society that destroys what it doesn’t understand, this is not a movie to be taken lightly, but it conveys an important message.

On the lighter side LGBTQA will be showing, “But I’m a Cheerleader,” the story of Megan, a naive teenager who is sent to a “sexual redirection” school when her straight-laced parents and friends suspect her of being a lesbian. The reason for their suspicion? Because she doesn’t like to kiss her boyfriend and has pictures of girls in her locker.

At rehab camp, full of admittedly homosexual misfits, she is put through a regime to learn how to be straight. Will Megan be turned around to successful heterosexuality, or will she succumb to her love for the beautiful Graham?

LGBTQA has thrown successful campus events in the past, including a previous film festival and last year’s gay pride week, OutPride2000.

The club put together panels to answer students’ questions and brought Tom Ammiano, gay activist and president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to campus in order to speak about his experiences.

“I am very proud of last year,” said Statkiewicz. ” We established our name on campus and answered a lot of questions that the De Anza community had. It is often an unconscious reflex to fear and even hate what one does not understand, so it is important for me and others in the club to inform people.”

LGBTQA is planning another series of events to celebrate gay pride month in spring quarter. The event will be focused more on reaching out and spreading community awareness according to Statkiewicz.

“This year we’re starting off with the film festival. A lot of club members were unable to help organize the event because of conflicts in their schedule … if another Gay Pride Week is going to happen next quarter, I’m going to need more hands on staff. So … come out and help out. And you don’t have to be gay to help, straight allies are always welcome.”

“I want to mention the dedication and warm support of our advisors, Bruce, Jean, and Marcy. They are the most helpful advisors that I have met at this campus or any other actually. In part, I have been trying to keep this club alive for them.”

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February 12: National Freedom to Marry Day

What is National Freedom to Marry Day?

Today same-sex couples are not allowed to marry in any state, even though marriage is an important personal choice and a basic human right. Battles in the fight for the freedom to marry continue in the court of public opinion, as well as state legislatures throughout the country.

The remarkable ruling by the Vermont State Supreme Court, mandating that same-sex couples receive equal rights and protections, and leaving the door open to civil marriage, is a testament to on-going efforts nationwide to engage and educate non-gay allies about the importance of the freedom to marry.

Why February 12? Two words: equality and love. Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is a time to think about equality; Valentine’s Day is a time to think of love. In other words, there’s no better time to mark the importance of ending sex discrimination in marriage and allowing lesbian and gay couples to share in the celebration, rights, responsibilities, and protections of civil marriage.

-courtesy of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund