Gay USA

10/11/17. Considering that this documentary was made close to 40 years ago (1978), in retrospect, can be considered quite radical for the time. The film-maker offered people participating and viewing the gay parades of 1977 the opportunity to voice their feelings and thoughts about being gay, homosexuality, gender roles, coming out, being in the closet, etc. It's worth keeping in mind that this was made BEFORE AIDS made its debut in 1982, and then everything changed. So, in a way, the late '70s was a period of innocence for those who were coming into their own and being able to share their lives in a very open and honest way. This is worth watching for its historical value in documenting a segment of society that continues to struggle for rights denied them because of their sexuality.

"Gay USA" is not so much an innovative film, as a passionate statement of pride in US citizens gaining same sex civil rights, in a time of social/ religious intolerance toward sexual difference. Even so, I concern that in 2020 other countries may not individuate their same sex culture, as North America now models this via an unassailable media.

It's the gay pride parade in 1977 San Francisco. Gay rights is being fought in the streets as well in politics. The filmmakers do a lot of man-on-the-street interviews. They do go to NYC and switch between time periods. The flipping back and forth between the older demonstration and the '77 parade is quite powerful.

This is an important archive of this political movement. There are compelling personal testimony with the street interviews. The multitudes of opinions especially in the opening section reminds me so much of the present day arguments. Things may have changed, but many things are still the same.

Once upon a time, in the 1970s, there was a day when gay, lesbians, transsexuals, and other members of various sexual and gender persuasions marched in large cities across America. More than 25 camera operators recorded the parades and interviews with individuals, and then Arthur J. Bressan Jr. Edited it into this movie.

I'm dissatisfied with that paragraph. Language and terms about what was lumped together as "gay" in 1977 has greatly changed in the almost half century since this film appeared. I expect it will continue to change. This review will seem dated, perhaps quaint, both in how I express my thoughts, and indeed, those thoughts themselves. So the most that can be usefully said is that this captures a few moments in the evolution of sexuality throughout the ages, near the highwater mark of acceptance between the Stonewall Riots and the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s.

Pretty much showing the 1977 Gay Pride that seems to be the same parade in one of his art porno films. A very interesting documentary showing the intersection of people who were I guess at the time just want to see all the fuss.

A lot of interviewees where particularly interesting and has a lot of things to say. I remember interviews with the likes of a older woman who is there because she believes that everyone should have rights, a lot of people comparing the 60's Civil Right's Revolution with the Gay Right's movement and homophobic man who believes his hate does not need to hamper LGBT's right - which was a mental whiplash to be honest. But smartly, Bresson never passed judgment - he just edited this varied commentaries into well flowing documentary.

I think this is a good film for anyone interested with Gay Liberation Movement of the 70's AND have an idea how people at time where reacting to it. It really captures all shades of commentary AND hits it without any kind of judgment. It even shows one "kababayan" proudly believing in the movement.

Highly Recommended.