It's been a whirlwind of activity as the Seventh-Gay Adventists film finally premiered. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for those of you who came to the premiere in Miami Beach and helped make that event so successful (especially those who drove long distances!). The Saturday night before the premiere in Miami Beach, I walked for several hours, taking in the tropical scene and trying to quell my rising panic. I'd checked out the theater where our premiere was going to happen, and it was huge! I suddenly was fearful that only a handful of people would come, and this film that we've worked so hard to craft would just disappear. But I took a deep breath and reminded myself that at some point, I can only do so much. It was time to release control and let the audience take over. Of course my fears were for naught. It was a wonderful screening--a great crowd came, engaged thoughtfully with the film, and lingered to talk afterwards until the next film kicked us into the foyer. People who hadn't heard of Adventists before talked about how much they still identified with the spiritual journeys of the main film subjects, and many affirmed what an important time in history it is to be examine this intersection of faith and sexuality. We also got a great review from a local paper, and two of the people featured in the film were in attendance, which was really special for the audience.
At almost the exact same time, Stephen was in Lincoln, Nebraska for a private screening of the film there. That was a packed theater with more than 200 Adventists including many faculty, staff, and pastors from the local Adventist college and church in Lincoln. A couple in the film who have deep ties to the Lincoln area came with him for the screening. All reports said that it was a tremendous screening with incredible energy, and the entire audience gave the film and the couple from the film who were in attendance a standing ovation. The conversation afterwards went on for an hour until the next movie was about to start, and it was one of those transforming community events that you can tell will really start sincere conversations. Many people commented about the theater feeling like a sacred space, which is an extra beautiful reflection from an Adventist because movies and theaters were taboo for Adventists for most of the denomination's history.
At almost the exact same time, Stephen was in Lincoln, Nebraska for a private screening of the film there. That was a packed theater with more than 200 Adventists including many faculty, staff, and pastors from the local Adventist college and church in Lincoln. A couple in the film who have deep ties to the Lincoln area came with him for the screening. All reports said that it was a tremendous screening with incredible energy, and the entire audience gave the film and the couple from the film who were in attendance a standing ovation. The conversation afterwards went on for an hour until the next movie was about to start, and it was one of those transforming community events that you can tell will really start sincere conversations. Many people commented about the theater feeling like a sacred space, which is an extra beautiful reflection from an Adventist because movies and theaters were taboo for Adventists for most of the denomination's history.
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