The Case Western Reserve University Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, LGBT Center, Middle Eastern Cultural Association and Social Justice Institute will host a screening of the documentary film Oriented Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the Tinkham Veale University Center.
Oriented explores the lives of three gay Palestinian friends confronting their national and sexual identities in Tel Aviv. A discussion via Skype with Khader Abu Seif, one of the subjects of the documentary, will follow the screening. Alana Jochum, executive director of Equality Ohio, will offer closing remarks.
The event is free and open to the public.
Variety magazine described Oriented as “…a uniquely Middle Eastern spin on a classic coming-of-age tale.” Determined to become change agents in their community, the three best friends form a group called “Qambuta,” a non-violent, cultural resistance movement fighting for gender and national equality. Through their activism, they address what it means to grow up with the burden of a multi-faceted identity.
The screening of Oriented is co-sponsored by the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, the CWRU Office of Multicultural Affairs, the CWRU Office for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity, Phyllis Harris, and Gregg Levine and Howard Epstein. Additional support is provided by Siegal Lifelong Learning, the CWRU Office of Religious Life, Israel CWRU, Hillel Foundation of Cleveland and Equality Ohio.
Reservations are requested by emailing socialjustice@case.edu or calling 216.368.7568. For more information, visit case.edu/socialjustice or email lbk24@case.edu.