Levan Institute presents a course on “Coming Out” in the movies.
The course will require students to stream the movies on their own time and view the listed films stated here, such as In and Out, Love Simon, But I’m A Cheerleader, and Straight Up and join discussions on Zoom.
The class fee is $25 and will have classes for Jan. 30, Feb. 6, 13, and 20 at 4-5pm. The course will be headed by Conni Rush and Michelle Zamanian.
Zamanian states that she hopes that people will get out of this course is how coming out has changed throughout film and how it helps paved the way to tell other LGBTQ+ stories as well as, why coming out is important in film.
Zamanian says that the movies were specifically picked chronically to show the transition of coming out throughout the movies between 20 years and to explore the cultural situations that the characters were in and where the situation of “Coming Out” is now at in our modern age.
The movies that have been picked are limited due to the scope of the course, explaining why they will not be able to show more films by more prominent gay filmmakers such as John Waters, Joel Schumacher, or Kimberley Peirce. However, Zamanian says that the movies that have been picked for the course either have been casted, directed, or were written by someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community. Rush states that if there was a large demand for certain flicks, they would be glad to open another course on exploring queer coding or other film themes.
Although there is a fee in order to take the course, Zamanian says that they are will to make adjustments in order help students who want to take the course. As well, she will be willing to suggest ways for students to easily access these movies.
Rush has stated that if there is any group that is interested in another selected theme of films, they are willing to do either a presentation or course surrounding it.

If you are interested in the course, please visit Levan Institute for Lifelong Learning course and registration page through the Bakersfield college website.