IT WOULD appear and seem as if the Republican party has gone straight down the tubes! Turning a supposed 180 by expressing that the sanctity of marriage ain't a basic human right, and furthermore is refusing entry into such a legal state if your partner can't cause baby making to occur. This news divided The Log Cabin Party, a sector of Republicans who just so happen to like people who have matching body parts, and you know which ones I'm talkin' about. Oxymoron much? They do!

So where does this leave us? Following four members, three gents who prefer other gents, and one lady who prefers ladies, we are privy to their thoughts and feelings surrounding the decision of the Republican party to deny their ability to legally and publically declare their attachment to their partner. Two steadfastly support their party, two are upset with this decision and wrestle with the reality that they're not wanted in their own party (much less acknowledged).

So! After setting up the circumstances Westmoreland allows hilarity to ensue, but only in the form of watching two men desperately attempt to back their stand on Being A Republican:

"I consider myself to be a Republican first and a gay man secondly."

While these quips amuse, they do not hold the film up and the second half drags. The film takes a sharp turn from allowing these two men to make an ass of themselves on camera to showing how deeply disillusioned they are, and how their foolish standpoints hurt the other two Log Cabin-ers, one of whom is married.

While the film provides a viewpoint on the reality of being gay in America, it is quicker to point out the growing importance of independent decision making within a country whose ruling party continues to grow in popularity by shamefully marginalising minority groups.

–Kim Lesch

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The annual Out Takes Gay & Lesbian Film Festival opens in Auckland on May 26 through until June 6, then relocates to Wellington (June 2-12) before concluding in Christchurch (June 9-15). Visit outtakes.org.nz or download the media release here

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