2ND ANNUAL LGBT FILM SERIES AT STEELSTACKS BEGINS MAY 6

Month-long Series Includes Films & Discussions Focusing on LGBT Issues

BETHLEHEM, PA--Equality Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Diversity Network, Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley and ArtsQuest are pleased to announce the 2nd annual LGBT Film Series at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks’ Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas May 14-June 9. The month-long series, designed to raise awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, will feature seven films, as well as special discussion sessions and talkbacks hosted by prominent members of the Lehigh Valley’s LGBT community.

"Kudos to ArtsQuest for hosting the LGBT Film Series again this year," said Adrian Shanker, President of Equality Pennsylvania. "These aren't films that often get shown on the large screen. It's so great to have this series in the Lehigh Valley."

The 2013 LGBT Film series gets underway May 14 with Hedwig and the Angry Inch, an adaptation of the hit off-Broadway musical. Tickets for each film are $10 regular, $8 for students and seniors, and $7.50 for ArtsQuest Members. They are available by calling 610-332-3378, visiting artsquest.org/film or purchasing them at the box office of the ArtsQuest Center, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem.

"Pride is honored to be a supporting partner of the LGBT Film Series at SteelStacks with ArtsQuest, Equality Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Diversity Network," said Shawn Bausher, President of Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley. "We commend ArtsQuest for continuing their support of the LGBT community and helping to increase awareness and educate the Lehigh Valley on these issues.”

The 2013 LGBT Film Series schedule is as follows:

Hedwig and the Angry Inch - May 14, 7:15 p.m.
Runtime: 91 min
Rated R
Adapted from the hit off-Broadway musical of the same name, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is the tale of an "internationally ignored" rock ‘n’ roll singer who hails from Communist Berlin and dreams of becoming an American sensation. The film features several songs by composer Stephen Trask, who also appears as a member of Hedwig's disinterested rock band; Miriam Shor portrays Hedwig's newfound love and backup singer.

Kiss Me (Kyss Mig) - May 20, 7:15 p.m.
Time: 105 min
Rated R
Released in the United States as Kiss Me (alternative American title "With Every Heartbeat"), Kyss Mig is a 2011 Swedish drama directed by Alexandra Therese Keining. The film won best Lesbian film at QCinema Fort Worth’s Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival.

Love or Whatever - May 22, 7:15 p.m.
Runtime: 84 min
Rated: NR
At 30, Corey thought he had it all: A successful career, a lesbian sister who's his best friend and, most of all, a bright future with his boyfriend, Jon. But when Jon dumps him - for a woman - Corey sets off on a wild journey of self-discovery that leads him to a GRINDR connection, Pete and a life changing choice: LOVE OR WHATEVER. This film is fresh off its world premiere at Frameline International LGBT Film Festival at The Castro Theater in San Francisco.

A Perfect Ending - May 28, 7:15 p.m.
Runtime: 90 min
Rated: UR
Perfect Ending is both very erotic and quite humorous. As we follow Rebecca Westridge on her journey, one thing becomes startlingly clear - sometimes a perfect ending isn’t what we expect it to be.  This film was officially selected at Frameline: San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, Outfest: Los Angeles GLBT Film Festival and Philadelphia QFest in 2012.

Yossi - May 29, 7:15 p.m.
Runtime: 83 min
Rated: UR
From Israel's most beloved pop filmmaker comes a tender, joyous pleasure of a movie about love blooming in the wake of loss. Yossi was nominated for Best Narrative Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2012, and Ohad Knoller won the People Award for Best Performance at the Paris Lesbian Film Festival.

How to Survive a Plague - June 2, 7:15 p.m.
Runtime: 120 min
Rated: NR
How to Survive a Plague is the Oscar-nominated (Best Documentary Feature, 2013) story of two coalitions - ACT UP and TAG - whose activism and innovation turned AIDS from a death sentence into a manageable condition. The film won Best Documentary at the Boston Society of Film Critics Awards, as well as Best New Filmmaker for David France. It was nominated at the Sundance Film Festival and the Independent Spirit Awards and won Best Documentary at the Gotham Awards.

Cloudburst - June 9, 7:15 p.m.
Runtime: 90 min
Rated: UR
With equal parts humor and grace, Cloudburst explores the important themes of life, death and love through the eyes of Stella and Dot, an aging couple, and the young hitchhiker they pick up en route to Canada. This film won audience awards for Feature and Best Actress in competitions and film festivals around the world, including the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (Audience Award – Best Feature) and the Milan International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (Grand Jury Award – Best Film).