Craig
Bettendorf, an LGBTQ+ activist, early signatory on the 1996 National
Freedom to Marriage Resolution and author, has parlayed his unique
perspective into a TV series, Treading Yesterday, and now a
feature-length documentary. HOMOSAYWHAT explores the origins of
homophobia against men that became institutionalized in the 1950s and
how that continues to negatively affect all genders and sexualities to
this day. The feature length documentary, which won awards at film
festivals including South Texas Underground, Colorado International
Activism and Queen City - will be out on DVD and Streaming on June 2.
Homophobia didn’t just happen. Orchestrated campaigns by cultural institutions and public figures have systemically instilled anti-LGBTQ prejudice into American culture by shaping public opinion.
In the 1960s, propaganda films warned parents of “predatory characters” at local parks under the guise of public service announcements. Anita Bryant’s Save Our Children campaign in the 70’s galvanized a coalition of conservative religious groups that spread the idea that sexual abnormalities would corrupt the nation and its children. The 80’s AIDS pandemic further exacerbated fears about homosexuality and “making fun” became a way to marginalize those who were different, which subsequently generated anger, fear, violence and even murder against targets deemed inferior.