A compelling documentary that broadens the definition of what it means to be part of the African American lesbian community will be shown at Ithaca College twice on Tuesday, Nov. 1. “The Same Difference” will be screened at noon in Handwerker Gallery and at 7 p.m. in Textor 101, with both showings free and open to the public.
“The Same Difference” highlights issues surrounding lesbians who discriminate against other lesbians based on gender roles. It features self-identified studs — and the women who love them — discussing hypocrisy in terms of gender roles, performative expectations and the silent disciplining that occurs between community members. Director Nneka Onuorah shows how these behaviors reproduce the homophobic oppression and masculine privilege of the straight world, while looking for solutions in compelling discussions with community members.
Among those interviewed for the film are a number of queer celebrities, including actresses Felicia “Snoop” Pearson (“The Wire”), AzMarie Livingston (“Empire”) and Lea DeLaria (“Orange Is the New Black”).
The showings are part of the Out of the Closet and Onto the Screen series, sponsored by the Ithaca College Center for LGBT Education, Outreach, and Services. For more information, visit www.ithaca.edu/lgbt.