Stereotypes, rights discussed at screening of movie

Picking a comfy seat at the Johnny Arlee and Vic Charlo Theater on Pablo’s Salish Kootenai College campus last week were 15 people for discussion and a movie stemming from people’s rights.

“Too Wong Foo” was screened on Thursday, Nov. 29 as part of Fantastic Flashbacks, where a dinner, movie and conversation are co-hosted by The Spirit of Many Colors, SAFE Harbor and supported by the PRIDE Foundation.

Kicking off the evening once viewers were settled was James Steele, director of development at the SKC Foundation.

Steele presented a 4:25-long Heinekin beer advertisement, in which people are asked individually what they thought about sexual orientation and other topics.

Then those interviewed were paired up to do a team-building and ice-breaking exercise.

Following the ad, Dana Grant, development director with SAFE Harbor, asked the crowd what they thought of the clip.

One viewer said she thought the outcome of the commercial was “refreshing.”

Grant then asked the audience how they “get real” with strangers.

One person said that they try to be open-minded and nom-judgemental when talking with others, while another person said that they let people know that they accept them however they are.

Prior to the screenings, Steele explained that on SKC campus, students are fairly accepting of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer community (LGBTQ).

“There is an LGBTQ community presence” throughout the Flathead Indian Reservation, he said, but oftentimes off campus, LGBTQ members will go to Missoula or other large cities for events such as drag shows.

For more information on Spirit of Many Colors, visit www.facebook.com/spiritofmanycolors/

Information about the SKC Foundation, visit www.skc.edu, and visit pridefoundation.org for the PRIDE Foundation.