There are some pretty amazing people that make up our big queer Frameline family, and we want to shine a spotlight on those folks that keep Frameline running day-in and day-out. So, we're introducing a new Member Spotlight to our blog and E-News -- look for interviews with really cool people every other week.
Who are you and where are you from originally?
My name is Claude Wynne and I was originally from New York City. I moved to San Francisco in 1974 at the age of 18.
What are your interests?
Progressive politics, technology, movies, dance music, sexuality.
Why did you become a member?
Although I had attended a movie or two at festivals before, it wasn't until 1998 that I really discovered the magic of Frameline. It was the movie Titanic in 1997 that really got me hooked on movies. Before then it was mainly sci-fi/fantasy and big blockbusters like Jaws. I didn't have a lot of money and most of my disposable income was spent in bars, especially the Trocadero Transfer and sex clubs. I got into IT in the ‘90s so I had more money to spend on movies. I had been a gay activist so once I got the movie bug, of course I had to go to Frameline.
What's your favorite festival film?
There are so many. Mainstream films – Trick and Big Eden. Less mainstream – Hard and Urbania. Docs – Paragraph 17, Gay Sex in the 70s and The Eyes of Tammy Faye. TV Show – Queer as Folk (UK).
What's the most fun / craziest / exciting / life-changing thing that ever happened to you during the Festival?
When I walked into the screening of the first episode of Queer as Folk in 1999. I could not believe what I was seeing. As someone who left home at 15 and someone into the disco scene in the 70s and 80s (and everything that went with it), I was finally seeing my life on screen. I couldn't believe this was being shown on Television in the U.K. We could hardly get a gay kiss on TV in America and they were showing rimming! I became an immediate fan of everything British (my favorite radio station is gaydar) and I became a super fan (as in fanatic) of both versions of that groundbreaking show.
What other fabulous thing should we know about you?
I was a member of the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA) in New York (I knew Vito Russo) and a founding member of Bay Area Gay Liberation (BAGL) in SF. I have a website called Claudesplace.com with film reviews by David Lamble and political commentary from me.
Interested in sharing the member spotlight? Join now! Then send an email to Membership & Office Manager Daniel Balugay.
Photo by Sarah Deragon, Distribution & Accounts Manager.
Member Spotlight: Claude Wynne
There are some pretty amazing people that make up our big queer Frameline family, and we want to shine a spotlight on those folks that keep Frameline running day-in and day-out. So, we're introducing a new Member Spotlight to our blog and E-News -- look for interviews with really cool people every other week.
Who are you and where are you from originally?
My name is Claude Wynne and I was originally from New York City. I moved to San Francisco in 1974 at the age of 18.
What are your interests?
Progressive politics, technology, movies, dance music, sexuality.
Why did you become a member?
Although I had attended a movie or two at festivals before, it wasn't until 1998 that I really discovered the magic of Frameline. It was the movie Titanic in 1997 that really got me hooked on movies. Before then it was mainly sci-fi/fantasy and big blockbusters like Jaws. I didn't have a lot of money and most of my disposable income was spent in bars, especially the Trocadero Transfer and sex clubs. I got into IT in the ‘90s so I had more money to spend on movies. I had been a gay activist so once I got the movie bug, of course I had to go to Frameline.
What's your favorite festival film?
There are so many. Mainstream films – Trick and Big Eden. Less mainstream – Hard and Urbania. Docs – Paragraph 17, Gay Sex in the 70s and The Eyes of Tammy Faye. TV Show – Queer as Folk (UK).
What's the most fun / craziest / exciting / life-changing thing that ever happened to you during the Festival?
When I walked into the screening of the first episode of Queer as Folk in 1999. I could not believe what I was seeing. As someone who left home at 15 and someone into the disco scene in the 70s and 80s (and everything that went with it), I was finally seeing my life on screen. I couldn't believe this was being shown on Television in the U.K. We could hardly get a gay kiss on TV in America and they were showing rimming! I became an immediate fan of everything British (my favorite radio station is gaydar) and I became a super fan (as in fanatic) of both versions of that groundbreaking show.
What other fabulous thing should we know about you?
I was a member of the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA) in New York (I knew Vito Russo) and a founding member of Bay Area Gay Liberation (BAGL) in SF. I have a website called Claudesplace.com with film reviews by David Lamble and political commentary from me.
Interested in sharing the member spotlight? Join now! Then send an email to Membership & Office Manager Daniel Balugay.
Photo by Sarah Deragon, Distribution & Accounts Manager.