Actor - Jerre Dye (Paul)“When I was writing Tennessee Queer in 2011, the governor of Tennessee was afraid to strongly rebuke some religious conservatives who introduced anti-gay legislation at the state level, and the mayor of Memphis wouldn’t publicly speak out in favor of LGBT rights for city workers,” said gay Presbyterian deacon and filmmaker Mark Goshorn Jones.

The main character in the film says, “You can’t pick and choose verses from the Bible and quote them like they’re the goddamn U.S. Constitution.”

Tennessee Queer, Jones new film, holds its Dallas premiere at the Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff on March 31 at 7 p.m. A Q&A with the filmmaker follows the screening.

SYNOPSIS

After a few years in New York City, out and proud Jason Potts returns to his Tennessee hometown only to find things haven’t changed for LGBT teenagers. Being gay is still the worst thing to be in Smyth, Tennessee.

Wanting to help these gay teens and give them some hope, Jason hatches a plan while he’s home for the weekend. Things quickly spiral out of control as Jason is put in charge of the first-ever gay pride parade in this sleepy, small southern town.

Unknown to Jason, a scheming conservative city councilman and a holier-than-thou minister plan to round up Smyth’s gay teens after the parade and send them off to an ex-gay ministry camp to be cured of their sinful ways. Will Jason succeed with the parade? Will he be run out of town before the parade? Will the gay teenagers be sent away? Tune in as hilarity ensues in this heartwarming comedy.

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