Dangerous Living: Coming Out in the Developing World

Our Rating: L Factor: Lesbian Film Short Take: Examines the lives and struggles of lgbt people in the developing world. Alternate Titles:
Year: 2003 Duration: Language: USA/English MPAA: Not Rated	Director: John Scagliotti Writer: Starring: Janeane Garofalo, Maher Sabry

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Dangerous Living is a documentary film that not only examines the lives and struggles of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in the developing world … it is also a vehicle for mobilizing viewers in North America and Europe to care about international lgbt issues.

The internet has made a huge difference in helping to connect people in non-western countries across the globe. Organizing on gay and lesbian issues does take place, but it tends to be done under the guise of AIDS education, women’s issues or human rights work. In many large metropolitan cities, young people are able to meet, but for many, they do so with the threat of beatings, rape and torture.

The story of the ‘Cairo 52′ centers the film, when 52 men were arrested at an Egyptian disco and sent to jail for 13 months in 2001. This incident garnered international press attention, but most oppression does not. Activists from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Namibia, Fiji, South Africa, Pakistan, India, Vietnam, Brazil and other countries discuss their situations, and many have been forced into exile in the West.

In Honduras, one woman who dared march in a gay pride parade without covering her face like the other participants was forced to flee after her family was attacked by the military police. Also touches on the existence of same sex and transgendered traditions in the past that were replaced by western colonial homophobia. Narrated by Janeane Garofalo. (AB)