Fruity Film Features Connect the GV Queer Community in Summer – Grand Valley Lanthorn

Milton E. Ford of Grand Valley State University The LGBT Resource Center hosted weekly Fruity Film Features during the summer, Provides a sense of community for those staying on campus during the holidays.

During the summer months, the campus inevitably becomes quieter. The Fruity Film series was one of the few activities that took place during the break, andThe idea for this series came from two student assistants at the LGBT Resource Center, hoping to create an event that would bring those remaining on campus together over the summer.

“We were just trying to come up with some ideas on how we could bring together the students who are staying on campus for the summer,” said Joey Grubbs-Hulst, assistant director of the LGBT Resource Center. “(We wanted to) bring together LGBTQ students in particular.”

Grubbs-Hulst highlighted ideas and events brought to light by student staff and other members of the GVSU community.

“We think it’s really important to give our students the opportunity to take the lead in our space,” Grubbs-Hulst said. “(Fruity Films) is a great opportunity to introduce students to our spaces in a fun and educational way.”

The weekly films revolved around queer films and ranged from funny and humorous to historical and educational. Many of the films were shown because they contained messages that challenged traditional heterosexual ideas about family and marriage.

“We wanted to use these films as a learning opportunity for students who may not have seen them yet,” Grubbs-Hulst said.

The LGBT Resource Center screened several films from the 1980s and earlier to remind people that there have been films featuring queer characters and storylines throughout film history. Grubbs-Hulst added that screening such films helps to represent and highlight the creativity of queer filmmakers and shines a spotlight on LGBTQIA+ identifying stories that may not have made it into mainstream media.

Films screened included Todd Haynes’ Carol (2015) and Billy Wilder’s Some Like It Hot (1959). Both films are set in the 1950s and feature a large number of LGBTQIA+ characters. They also deal with themes such as self-discovery of queer identity and love. Some Like It Hot was progressive for its time and known for its unapologetic queerness. It explored gender fluidity and non-heteronormative relationships and challenged the gender stereotypes, morals and censorship of the time.

Moesha Jones, a women’s, gender and sexuality studies major at GVSU and a front desk clerk at the resource center, says many people don’t realize how many films there are that are based on queer themes or directed by someone with LGBTQIA+ identities.

“There are tons of films about cis men and women,” Jones said. “When it comes to queer films, (their existence) simply not seen.”

Jones added that the LGBT Resource Center has many of these films available for students to borrow and watch.

While the LGBT Resource Center is not yet sure if film screenings will continue during the fall and winter semesters, staff said they plan to resume screenings next summer. Throughout the academic year, the center hosts events and provides a variety of resources for LGBTQIA+ students and allies.