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Poetry from Peter Brooke

13/04/2021 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

Approaching any review is like the start of a journey, you know where you are starting from but you have no idea where the journey is going to take you, what side-tracks or falls you may have and whether you will enjoy the journey because not all journeys are enjoyable.  I was asked to review two completely different booklets of poetry from Peter Brooke, the first “To a Mask” covers the period Oct 2013-Dec 2014, the second is a series of poems entitled “8 poems” translated from the French of Georges Ribemont-Dessaignes and published in 2020.

Georges Ribemont-Dessaignes - Poetry from Peter Brooke

Peter’s first booklet embraces ‘Politics and Theology, a central piece of his life.  Peter is an artist, writer, and educationalist with a depth and breadth of knowledge that enables him to write and interpret extremely well for himself and others.

There are twenty-one poems in this slim booklet which cover a painting by Antonia Spowers to Little Children to Christian Love to The Book of Mormon to his final piece The Wrath of God.

I am not a poet, indeed generally I find poetry to be boring and of little relevance to me at all.  But each piece in this booklet has a line(s) that stop you and make you think.  They haven’t made me turn to ‘God’ as I feel that the god that churches and religion speak about is one made up by so many people as a way of comforting and also of controlling others.  But, you can read Peter Brooke’s prose, indeed dip into it, and think, and surely that is what any good writing should do.

 

Poetry by Peter BrookeNow in his second booklet, “8 poems” Peter Brooke has gone back to his love of art and to his own love of Gleizes, a Cubist avant-garde artist who was a contemporary of Georges Ribemont-Dessagnes, and a solid member of the Dada movement.  So when reading these poems by Georges you have to align yourself to that time period and Dadaism which was an art movement of the European avant-garde in the early 20th century, with early centres in Zürich, Switzerland, at the Cabaret Voltaire (c. 1916). New York Dada began c. 1915,[2][3] and after 1920 Dada flourished in Paris. Dadaist activities lasted until c. the mid 1920s. (Wikipedia).

 

…‘What were you born of, poet? Of time and space,

Without beginning or end,…’

 

The ‘8 poems’ move through the origins of a poet, to childhood, to looking at (through) a mirror, youth, knowledge and old age / wax beauty.  They flow well in this interpretation by Peter, and I found these poems somewhat more reachable, but, yet again on a literal medium I can understand and interpret the words and they conjure up pictures, I still don’t know if the pictures being created are those that the poet was aiming for, and with that thought, I think I will have to accept that poetry is and can only be subjective to the reader.  I know what I like, exactly in the same way as you do, but we can agree to disagree and remain friends.

Links:

  • WikiArt – Dada Movement
  • WikiArt – Georges Ribemont-Dessaignes
  • MoMA – Georges Ribemont-Dessaignes
  • Wikpedia – Dada
  • Peter Brooke
  • Jack Clemo – Poet

 

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Filed Under: Editor to ACOMSDave, Poetry and Prose Tagged With: beginnings, Cabaret Voltaire, Dada, death, Georges Ribemont-Dessagnes, old age, Peter Brooke, religion, youth

Campfire [Kampvuur] – Gay Short Film 2000 – Movie Review

08/04/2021 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

Campfire is a coming-out movie set during a short camping trip for scouts in Europe.  Tijl has a crush on Wout, both the total opposite of each other in character.   Tijl is quiet, serious, sensitive, whilst Wout is outgoing without inhibitions and often fails to think through his actions.

Campfire

The movie highlights the many problems of love, especially when you are young and don’t recognise the patterns of love, know anything about the pitfalls, and really don’t know how to communicate your love.  But it also, shows what happens between two individuals when one falls totally in love, and for the other, it is something he wants to experience but not necessarily something he wants to continue.  It also shows the cliquishness of youth, and the rejection of one of the in-crowd because he broke a taboo.

It is a beautifully photographed movie and the music used is in the main subtle and not obtrusive.

The question is really is the movie real?  Would it happen today?  Are the differences in culture?

the movie is real, it feels real, but it is a time capsule.  IN today’s world it would probably be different as today’s youth has so many opportunities for growth in acceptance of gay people,  It is not to say that the rejection will not happen, that on occasions does as you can find out by watching so many of the shortcoming out documentaries on Youtube, but in the main today’s youth is more accepting.  So are there cultural differences; well the movie is from Belgium, and Europe tends to be more open to relationships and love than the conservative United Kingdom or the United States, but social media is changing peoples perceptions.

I would recommend this movie and I know that it was released on DVD, but the chances are that in the main it has passed people by, so if you can find it on one of the TV channel or Youtube watch it and enjoy it.

Campfire

Director:

Bavo Defurne

Writer:

Bavo Defurne

Stars:

Joram Schurmans, Koen Van Heule, Circé Lethem |

 

Links:

  • IMDB – Campfire [2000] or Kampvuur
  • Youtube Trailer – Camptifre [2000] Kampvuur
  • A Silent Truth – Gay Short Film 2012 – Movie Review

 

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Filed Under: Movie Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: awakening, Bavo Defurne, being ostracised, Belgium, Campfire, Circe Lethem, coming out, falling in love, gay love, Joram Schurmans, Kampvuur, Koen Van Heule, Scouts, the journey of love

A Silent Truth – Gay Short Film 2012 – Movie Review

05/04/2021 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

‘A Silent Truth’ is a short gay movie about reconciling who you are with who other people want you to be.

Ian Foster (Daniel Sovich) has reached a crisis point within himself because he can no longer deny who he is – ‘a gay boy’ with gay feelings.  The problem is that his mother has strong anti-gay feelings, and in consequence heavily stresses to everyone how much of a ladies’ man he is.

The opening scene of ‘A Silent Truth‘ is his birthday party, a home filled full of people (mainly adults) who all seem to be enjoying themselves, but he isn’t.  In parts, it is almost like he is walking around in a dream.  The central piece of the movie is Ian telling his mum why he feels so different. Of course, the movie brings out all the old cliches, including his mum saying ‘it would have probably been better if he hadn’t been born’; and of course he hears this statement!  The concluding scene has his mum flipping around and becoming his totally support and promising to learn everything about how to be there for him.

A Silent Truth deals with a boys feelings, something that too often is trapped over by parents who feel they know what is best for their son!  Of course, the movie is American orientated, and different cultures will deal with the situation probably in a totally different way – indeed we are all too aware of how the Eastern Block countries want to currently handle situations like this, ‘conversion therapy’ at best…  But what this movie does is highlight the problem, the situations that a boy can find himself in, and how they need support, guidance and love.

 

“Life is good, no, life is awesome…”

A Silent Truth

  • Starring: Daniel Sovich, Dani Apple, Dylan Aaron White, Kimberly J. Mahoney, Joy Borland, Ryan Vincent, Brian Richeson, Cole Kornell, Mark Oet, Kathy Vogel, Tonee Purnell, Ralph DiLudovico, Jaclyn Inglis and Katrina Melanie Walker Directed By Peter Anthony Fields
  • Screenplay By Peter Anthony Fields & Evonne Fields-Gould
  • Produced By Peter Anthony Fields, Evonne Fields-Gould, Joy Borland, Quata Tucker

Links:

  • IMDB – A Silent truth
  • Youtube – A Silent truth short film trailer
  • “SOG” Gay Short Film – 2019 – Movie Review

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Filed Under: Anti-Bullying & Homophobia, Movie Reviews Tagged With: A Silent Truth, coming out, Daniel Sovich, gay coming of age, Peter Anthony Fields, SOG

The LGBT+ Traveller & Roma Calendar

21/03/2021 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

The LGBT+ Traveller & Roma CalendarThe National LGBT+ Traveller & Roma Action Group has proudly to produced its first ever LGBT+ Traveller & Roma Calendar and has begun distributing to national and regional Traveller and Roma organisations, as well as national and regional LGBT+ organisations this week. Traveller and Roma families and individuals who want to celebrate their LGBT+ identity or express their allyship with LGBT+ members of their communities will also receive copies through their relevant services.

“[It’s about} valuing people differently within our community, rather than coming down on anyone for their sexuality and gender. Accepting people for who they are, is the only way to be, as there is really no right way to be a Traveller. Live and let live!”  Senator Eileen Flynn

Eileen Flynn, the first female Traveller to become a Senator speaks as a proud member of the Action Group.  The National Action Group for LGBT+ Traveller & Roma Rights is a collective that aims to increase the promotion, protection, inclusion and celebration of LGBT+ Traveller & Roma individuals and their families within their communities and organisations and services. Membership of the Group consists of representatives from the LGBT+ Traveller & Roma communities, their national, regional and local organisations as well as LGBT+ organisations and services.

There are potentially 4,000 Travellers on the island of Ireland who are LGBT+ (All Ireland Traveller Health Study 2010; Equality Authority 2002). Higher levels of poor mental health are common both in the Traveller community and the LGBT+ community. Consequently, LGBT+ Travellers and Roma battle layers of discrimination as they strive to find self-acceptance, community acceptance and societal celebration of all of who they are.

“Being gay in the Travelling community is OK and needs more support. If not addressed then this is where the suicide thoughts and depression comes into effect, and when we see young lives dying” says Dillon Collins, an LGBT Traveller.

The Action Group hopes this first calendar will act as a symbol of positive visibility and allyship wherever it is displayed. It also aims to educate as each month marks key historical and important dates for both the Traveller and Roma communities, as well as the LGBTI+ community. Equally important is every month’s display of phone numbers of important mental health support services. The Action Group hopes that more LGBT+ individuals and any concerned family members will reach out to seek the help they need when they need it so that more LGBT+ Travellers and Roma find the peace which Pauline Reilly, LGBT Traveller, describes in the month of February:

“The heart is not bound by conditions of gender, love is an emotion that neither discriminates nor hesitates when it is felt by two people deeply in love”

For a digital copy click here: 2021 LGBT Traveller & Roma Calendar FINAL

Any other queries please email: BecomeaAlly@gmail.com

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Filed Under: Anti-Bullying & Homophobia, History Tagged With: calendar, Ireland, LGBT, Roma

The Conversion Therapy Saga

18/03/2021 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

This Conversion Therapy Saga is yet again another reason why I deplore the UK Government’s lethargy in making “conversion therapy” illegal.  Here we have a man (Dr. Ole Ivar Lovaas) who developed “conversion therapy” but also tried to make autistic children “normal”.

Conversion Therapy

I have previously discussed “conversion therapy2 as applied to people within the LGBTQ+ community in my article ‘Conversion Therapy – Rethink Finally‘ published 11 September 2020

The worrying factor about both these therapies is that they in effect abuse the recipients, for the LGBTQ+ candidates they at least can make themselves heard about the abuse they received, for the autistic children it is extremely doubtful that they ever could or would be in such a position.

“No matter what form it takes, gay conversion therapy is going to be psychologically harmful,” Becker said. “They’re told that they can change this thing they can’t change, and it leads to devastating consequences.”

Dr. Lovaas died in 2010, however, his therapy for autistic children remains on the books I believe for ‘all states’ in the USA, and in only 20 states is gay conversion therapy banned.

 

Links:

  • The man behind ex-gay “conversion therapy” started out trying to make autistic children “normal”

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Filed Under: Anti-Bullying & Homophobia, Campaigns, Community Journalist, Government & Politics, History Tagged With: abuse, conversion therapy, Dr. Lovaas, governments, politicians, UK, USA

“SOG” Gay Short Film – 2019 – Movie Review

02/03/2021 By ACOMSDave

SOG (saugwirking) means suction, wake, PULL, a maelstrom in German, and this short movie has all of that between the two actors ‘Linus’ played by Daniel Dietrich and ‘Jonas’ played by Vincent Lang.

 

Sog • Bundesfestival junger Film

This is a movie showing the flowering of desire and sensuality between the two boys. It is set in a forest during a camping trip with little dialogue and the photography is minimalist – but then it is difficult for it to be anything else in a forest or tent.

It is another story about a need, as was Silver Road which I have already reviewed for you, but the difference here is that both boys need and want each other and have to learn how to handle this.

As with Silver Road, one boy has to take that leap of faith and hope that the right things happen, and fortunately, it does, but not without a little trepidation.  The actors are handsome, and whilst not asked to do much dialogue, they act wonderfully and with depth for the characters they have taken on.

It is a lovely movie that talks about our need to love and to be loved, and how we all strive in some way to have this.

I rate this film as a 7.5, and would recommend it again to anyone and everyone –

Director: Jannik Gensler
Writer: Jannik Gensler
Stars: Daniel Dietrich, Vincent Lang

Links:

 

Quer saber ?: " SOG " OU Amar, Verbo Intransitivo.

IMDB – SOG

 

YouTube – SOG

 

  • Silver Road – Movie Review

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Filed Under: Community Journalist, Movie Reviews Tagged With: camping, forest, gay love, SOG, two boys, unrequited love

“Silver Road” – Gay Short Film 2006 – Movie Review

01/03/2021 By ACOMSDave

Short films do not get the press they deserve. Silver Road is about two young men, best friends through childhood, and how their road splits and their lives. Of how they struggle with saying goodbye to each other, and of underlying feelings.

The story takes place in an isolated farming community in Ontario, Canada where Mark (Jonathan Keltz) Silver Road - Jonathan Keltz Picture

feels his life is and Danny (Andrew Hachey) who is leaving for university in the city of Toronto, Ontario.

The two actors are Jonathan Keltz and Andrew Hachey. It is 17 years since this film was produced, and it is interesting that in 2008 it was on the Iris Prize Shortlist, and also that Jonathan Keltz career has developed with roles in the TV series Entourage and Being, and also as Hownland Reed in Game of Thrones

The story is short, but the two actors are excellent in what is essentially a breaking up movie about unrequited love – Danny is in love with Mark and decides to let him know. It is not a new phenomenon, the difference here is the gay context and how Mark accepts or doesn’t Danny’s love.

As with all life, you can only be true to yourself; and Danny is. Mark is surprised, and initially doesn’t know how to respond. But by the final scenes, their relationship seems to back to almost normal!

In today’s world of social media contacts and mobile phones, the story situation would seem dated, particularly with the exposure of LGBTQ+ in the media, and with people coming out on YouTube or TikTok; however, it is relevant as there are still communities like the one in which this movie is set. You still have various sects which can label LGBTQ+ kids as abominations and want to get them treated.

This movie should be watched by everyone even if only to get people talking. I can see it being of great use as a starting point in a school or college class where you can discuss the storyline, the characters, real or not, is it relevant in today’s world…

I would rate this film now as a 7.0, it is not earth-shattering, but it is well crafted and anyone can
watch it.

Director: Bill Taylor
Writer: Bill Taylor

Soundtracks:

written by Tony Dekker (as T. Dekker)
performed by Great Lake Swimmers
courtesy of (weewerk) / Harbour Songs

Links:

IMDB – Silver Road

YouTube – Silver Road

  • Blackbird (Gay Movie) [2014] – Movie Review

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Filed Under: Community Journalist, Movie Reviews Tagged With: Andrew Hachey, canada, Facebook, Game of Thrones, gay movie, Jonathan Keltz, Ontario, Short movie, Silver Road, TikTok, toronto

Blackbird (Gay Movie) [2014] – Movie Review

20/01/2021 By ACOMSDave

 

Blackbird (Gay Movie)

2014

Directed:  Patrik-Ian Polk

Genre:  Drama

 

Blackbird (Gay Movie) Blackbird (Gay Movie)

I have just come across this movie (Blackbird (Gay Movie)) on YouTube, as it was just been uploaded on January this year (2021) some seven years after it hit the various movie festivals and then USA TV.  It is not a blockbuster, but with the right support it should have been, for the acting and production are beautiful

Blackbird is set in a small Southern Baptist community, with the main character, ‘Randy’ Rousseau, a young singer, being played by Julian J Walker (a college student in real life at the beginning of the movie).  He is a young singer who is struggling with his sexuality and the treatment of others while coming of age.  In the role of Rousseau, he is wonderful, bringing a depth to the character beyond his acting credentials.   The independent drama centres on a deeply religious high school student in a small Mississippi town, who struggles with the fact that he may be gay.  There is love, hatred, sadness, and a storyline which to many young black youths today may well resonate.  It was rated ‘R’ due to its gay content, and a few sex scenes, but I would heartily suggest you watch this movie, and if you are a teacher of our youth in school or college consider using it as a teaching resource – it has so many themes you can follow and discuss – but most of all it is a wonderful movie,

The main actors in this movie are:

 

Mo’Nique Blackbird - Mo'Nique
Julian J. Walker

 

Blackbird - Julian J Walker
Kevin Allesee

 

Blackbird - Kevin Allesee

 

Writers: Rikki Beadle Blair, Larry Duplechan (novel)

 

Links:

    • Youtube – Blackbird

  • 365 Without 377 – Movie Review
  • The Wrap – Mo’Nique on Why Black Hollywood Actors Shunned Gay-Themed ‘Blackbird’: ‘Everyone Was Afraid of It’

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Filed Under: Community Journalist, Movie Reviews Tagged With: baptist, bare chested male, Blackbird, gay black man, gay interest, gay protagonist, gay romance, LGBT Film, religion, sexual identity, sexuality

Being Homeless

17/01/2021 By ACOMSDave

Being Homeless

Being homeless is not normally a choice, it is usually forced upon individuals and families by circumstances over which they have little or no control.

Being Homeless

Research Matters wrote in March 2018, …Homelessness is a highly emotive issue and attention on the plight of those who are homeless in Northern Ireland has gained particular momentum…Young people who are homeless can have a range of complex needs resulting from mental health difficulties, family breakdown and childhood abuse…Family rejection resulting in a loss of accommodation and support networks was the most cited reason for homelessness amongst the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community…IN a study conducted by the Rainbow Project, it recommended developing protocols to enable the assessment of LGBT social housing applicants’ individual support needs and signposting vulnerable applicants to appropriate services.

In Dec 2020 David Levesley wrote in GQ …It’s been a bad year to be black or trans and it’s been an even worse year to be black, trans and queer if you don’t have a place to call home! His article incorporates a story about Sam who ended up in Amsterdam, Manchester and Birmingham and the difficulties of settling when you don’t know anyone or the culture. Ultimately he got lucky and heard about The Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT) who have been assisting queer youth at risk of homelessness since 1989.

Being Homeless - YOuth

The Simon Community in its report ‘Pathways to Youth Homelessness’ found that 82% of young people said they were straight whilst 18% identified as being gay, lesbian, bisexual or were unsure. This number is significant compared to 1.9% of the general population identifying as LGBT in a recent ONS survey (2015.

In may last year (2020) a task group was set up in Northern Ireland to help plan the regions homelessness response as it exited the Coronavius lockdown – my initial investigations have shown that the following groups would be joining this group:-

  • Depaul
  • Extern
  • First Housing
  • housing Rights
  • The Salvation Army
  • Simon Community
  • Welcome Organizations

but so far what I don’t see is any involvement of representative’s from the LGBTQ+ community, and taking into account the Simon Community figures 18% of young people who indicated they were homeless were either gay, lesbian, bisexual or were unsure, this over-sight by the organizers needs to be rectified!

Homelessness is something we can fix, along with children being hungry, we are supposedly a rich country, and if we are then how we deal with these social issues and ensure that people do not suffer is a mark of our society’s ability to be human.

 

Links

  • Five ways to help support the LGBTQ+ homeless
  • Pathways to Youth Homelessness – Simon Community
  • Northern Ireland Homelessness Task Group

 

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Filed Under: Campaigns, Community Journalist Tagged With: gay, homeless, homelessness, lesbian, LGBTQ, Northern Ireland, risk, youth

Jack Clemo – Poet

15/01/2021 By ACOMSDave

I was watching a Rick Stein program tonight and he mentioned the poet Jack Clemo – I am not really a reader of poetry, but after hearing a few lines I was drawn to find out more about this poet.

Jack Clemo was born in Goonamarris. Jack was educated locally in the village school and concentrated on his poetry, while he lived in poverty with his widowed mother.  He lost his hearing and sight by 1955, the scenes of the Clay Country became his symbols for mystical and religious experiences.

The Clay-Tip Worker

Our clay-dumps are converging on the land:

Each day a few more flowers are killed,
A few more mossy hollows filled
With gravel. Like a clutching hand
The refuse moves against the dower,
The flaunting pride and power
Of springtide beauty menacing the sod;
And it is joy to me
To lengthen thus a finger of God
That wars with Poetry. […]

I love to see the sand I tip
Muzzle the grass and burst the daisy heads.
I watch the hard waves lapping out to still
The soil’s rhythm for ever, and I thrill
With solitary song upon my lip,
Exulting as the refuse spreads:
“Praise god, the earth is maimed,
And there will be no daisies in that field
Next spring; it will not yield
A single bloom or grass blade: I shall see
In symbol potently
Christ’s Kingdom there restored:
One patch of Poetry reclaimed
By Dogma: one more triumph for our Lord.”

 

Jack Clemo (1916–1994) | Art UK

 

The Flooded Clay-Pit

These white crags
Cup waves that rub more greedily
Now half-way up the chasm; you see
Doomed foliage hang like rags;

The whole clay-belly sags.

What scenes far
Beneath those waters: chimney-pots
That used to smoke; brown rusty clots
Of wheels still oozing tar;
Lodge doors that rot ajar.

Those iron rails
Emerge like claws cut short on the dump,
Though once they bore the waggon’s thump:
Now only toads and snails
Creep round their loosened nails.

Those thin tips
Of massive pit-bed pillars – how
They strain to scab the pool’s face now,
Pressing like famished lips
Which dread the cold eclipse.

 

Links:

  • Keeping Poets Alive: Why You Should Know About Jack Clemo
  • POETS OF THE CLAY COUNTRY: Jack Clemo
  • Belfast Book Festival 2015

 

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Filed Under: Editor to ACOMSDave, Poetry and Prose Tagged With: clay pits, Cornwall, Jack Clemo, poetry

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