Small Town Gay Bar

This is a documentary about the history of homosexuality in a rural and religious part of America, with particular emphasis on a small local gay bar.

Instead of just focusing on the history of one gay bar, as a title suggests, it looks at the recent events related to homosexuality in the area. It tries to cover a bit of everything. It covers the tragedy of gay bashing, and the brutal murder of a young gay man. It covers the strong anti-gay stance of the local church. As a result, the negativity is both alarming and disturbing. Fortunately, to balance the tragic melancholy, it covers the joy of people having fun and meeting partners in the bar. It also empowers gay people to come out and live the life they want, as shown in the interview of a few drag queens in the limousine.

This is a comprehensive documentary of gay life in a rural part of America. I can imagine the difficulty in making this, and I do commend the filmmakers for their effort.

My heart goes out to all of the people in "Small Town Gay Bar." As a gay man from a small, rural community who left for the big city at age 18, I could identify with some of the sentiments about finding a home and a refuge within a gay bar.

All in all, though, I found the film very difficult to sit through...I had to wonder why people would stay in such a miserable setting. I'd have liked to see this question explored.

Also, all of the physical locations were depressing...rundown buildings, sad-looking mobile homes, and empty fields full of rusting cars and trash.

Is that really what these towns in Mississippi are like, or did the director only show us certain aspects?

I attended college in rural Missouri in the early 1990s and felt this film captured a lot of that environment. In rural settings, a gay bar is often the primary way to interact with other gay people. I do remember driving hours to get to a gay bar. It is not something I would ever do now, but it is a part of gay culture.

One reviewer writes about how the cities in the film are not as rural as portrayed and therefore pans the movie. I checked out a map. Several of the towns appear to be an hour or more from a major city. The most relevant viewpoint is that of the people in the film, who talk about the importance of the bars. I am glad that is not the case for me, but this is an important look at rural gay life. If a person has never been in rural America, this is one way to get a glimpse of reality for many people.

I can see where the message might be misinterpreted by the viewers. It's "normal" to have a gay culture in Vancouver or Toronto, however you see how folks in a small town in Mississippi are desperate to keep their one and only place to do something like hold hands with their partner without looking over their shoulder.

I grew up in a big city and now I live in a small town. I can say with certainty if a gay bar opened in rural Alberta there would be blood flowing in the street. Although everyone is folksy and nice and hospitable, I can guarantee a gay bar would go over like a pregnant pole vaulter.

Thanks for that insight, Malcolm. I only watched the movie because I'm a View Askew fanboy, but now I won't hesitate to share this gem with all of my non-VA friends as well.

I saw this film at its premiere last year and I still long to see it in wide release... I was fortunate enough to meet Mr Ingram and tell him personally what a moving, beautiful film he created and I reiterate that thought here. This film is a brilliant piece of cinema - EVERYONE should have the chance to see this. It is important, relevant, and heartbreaking. KUDOS again to Malcolm and Kevin Smith (who was the most down-to-earth person I've been lucky enough to meet) for making such a fabulous film. In showing what it is like for a marginalized group in a marginalized region to struggle to survive, the director brings home the point about the fear and hatred that still exists. The soundtrack is perfect for the film. In a word - Outstanding.