10 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE March 21, 2003

eveningsout

When a rainbow flag means something else Columbus première of ‘Flag Wars' includes a forum on gentrification

by Kaizaad Kotwal

Columbus-Many large and mediumsized cities have been going through a process of gentrification in the last decade. Columbus has been no exception to this, as many inner-city neighborhoods, formerly run-down and abandoned by the mass exodus to the suburbs during the 1950s and 60s, are being given a new birth.

In Columbus, districts like Victorian Village, German Village, Italian Village and the Short North have in a large part been revital-

Jeffrey Mostade, PCC, NCC

ized by GLBT folk seeking to build communities where they feel safe, welcome and secure. These inner-city neighborhoods have also been good investment opportunities for those brave enough to see the future prospects of gentrification in time to make cheap buys.

Flag Wars, a documentary film exploring the process of gentrification in the Columbus neighborhood of Olde Towne East, will have its Ohio premiere screening on March 21 and 22 at the Wexner Center. The film explores what happens when white gays move into a

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black working-class neighborhood.

Directed by Linda Goode Bryant and Laura Poitras, Flag Wars was shot over four years and provides an account of competing economic interests between two historically oppressed groups seen through the politics and pain of gentrification.

That politics and pain comes from the fact that as white gays move into neighborhoods like Olde Towne East, the people already there are forced to make some tough choices.

The once middle-class black community of Olde Towne East fell on hard times and is now being gentrified-in this case by white gay men interested in restoring the magnificent old houses. The black residents, working-class or poor and often elderly, have had to fight to hold on to their homes and heritage.

The inevitable clashes, based in economics and identity politics, expose prejudice and self-interest on both sides, as well as the common dream to have a home to call your own. Flag Wars is a candid, unvarnished portrait of privilege, poverty, and local politics.

The film premiered March 10 at the South by Southwest Film, Music, and Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas, and was named Best Documentary there. It will air on PBS this summer as part of the 2003 P.O.V. series.

Columbus audiences will have a chance to get interactive with a free panel discussion on March 22 at 2 pm in the Wexner Center FilmVideo Theater, 1871 North High Street.

The panel will explore the social costs and personal impact of gentrification. Moderated by local community activist Tom Dillard, it is designed as a brainstorming session.

Linda Goode Bryant and Laura Poitras

Panelists include realtor Nina Masseria and Chief Baba Olugbala, both Olde Towne East residents, as well as city attorney Richard Pfeiffer. The audience is invited to discuss ways to reduce the adverse effects of urban development and promote harmony between competing interests and diverse groups of people.

The film will screen Friday and Saturday, March 21 and 22 at 7 pm. A reception follows the Friday screening. For more information call 614292-3535 or visit www.wexarts.org

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A.M.P.A.S.R

THE AIDS TASKFORCE OF GREATER CLEVELAND

invites you to

OSCAR NIGHT® AMERICA

SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2003

at MADSTONE CENTRUM

7:30 pm

JOIN US ON THE RED CARPET

The evening's festivities will begin with

celebrity impersonators and a silent auction

8:00 pm

LIVE BROADCAST ON The Silver SCREEN

of the Pre-Show and 75th annual Academy Awards Ceremony

MADSTONE

AIDA

$50 cover includes hors d'oeuvres, desserts and cocktails.

( valet parking will be available )

All proceeds Of Oscar Night America benefit the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland.

2781 EUCLID HEIGHTS BLVD

MADSTONE CENTRUM CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH

(216) 357 2223