Films for which I get to wear my red volunteer shirt.

Thursday, June 19 – Day 8
* HERBST THEATRE
6:30pm -- BUTCHES BOIS AND KINGS -- Go to the only-in-San Francisco edge of gender-bending queer culture in this eye-opening collection of four new short documentaries that show off the many faces of butch, drag, and gender identity.

Friday, June 20 -- Day 9
* CASTRO THEATRE
1:00pm -- SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE -- This powerful collection of shorts pays tribute to the passing of four very different members of our queer community demonstrates the importance of grief and its ultimately life-affirming strength. See tributes to Gwen Araujo, Kris Kovick, police officer Lois Marrero. and director Stacey Foiles's late wife Lynda.

Sunday, June 22 –Day 11
*HERBST THEATRE
12:30pm -- The Opposite Sex, Rene's Story -- RENE’S STORY (part of the two-feature documentary THE OPPOSITE SEX) chronicles the brave and intensely personal struggle Rene— female by biological definition yet male by personal identification—confronts while completing his female-to-male surgical transition. As his biological history as a woman is revealed, Rene must decide to what length (literally!) sex-reassignment surgery will afford him a natural fit between mind and body. Whether his twelve-year “marriage” can survive remains uncertain despite courageous determination. Additional interviews with family members offer alternative and heartfelt perspectives. These perspectives are both controversial and utterly poignant. Ultimately, RENE’S STORY is not as much about being male or female, per se, but rather a graphically honest and deeply penetrating, real-life story of a person forced to both defend and simultaneously surrender physical appearance for a chance at greater happiness.

Sunday, June 22 –Day 11
*HERBST THEATRE
2:15pm -- The Opposite Sex, Jamie's Story -- Jamie’s private self-reflection coupled with added commentary of close friends and family comprise Aronson’s method in showcasing the innate challenges when distinguishing herself as female despite a biological male upbringing. As a father, son, husband, and brother, relatives and childhood pals, unable to accept Jamie’s evolutionary process, literally mourn the “death” of this much-loved person. Rather than concede her need for a more dignified life, Jamie discovers the extent to which her liberation from shame evokes unforeseen consequences. Yet conversely portrayed is Jamie’s wife, who genuinely supports, accepts, and encourages her husband’s transformation, including her compassionate insight that “...no person would make this choice.” Her unconditionally loving yet cemented-in-reality composure is a refreshing and promising attitude to witness firsthand. The balance in perspective illustrate more than one person’s transition may be necessary in this family.

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