NOW RI Screening and Discussion of 'Out in the Night'

On Thursday, November 17 at the Everett Theater, NOW Rhode Island will hold a screening and discussion of "Out in the Night," a documentary about four young African-American lesbians who were imprisoned and labeled as "a lesbian gang" for defending themselves against an attacker.

"In the face of recent events, we are reminded of the absolute importance of community. It is imperative that we build and sustain communities committed to justice," writes NOW RI. "In troubled times we seek safe spaces in which we can listen to each other and discover new paths to move forward. During this election season, RI NOW worked tirelessly to support the campaigns of many local and regional candidates for whom issues of economic, reproductive rights, equal pay, and gender equity are paramount. RI NOW lends our voices to the promotion of these issues during the RI legislative session. We also partner with other organizations to amplify our voices and support each other's work. If you are looking for an avenue to effect positive change in your community we would love for you to join our team at RI NOW."

They invite members, current and prospective, and supporters of RI NOW to come join them for a screening of "Out in the Night," followed by a panel discussion on November 17 at the Everett Theater.

"Out in the Night" follows the story of a group of young Black lesbians from Newark, New Jersey, in 2006 as they head to the West Village for a night out. They are suddenly approached by an older man who starts to menace and threaten them, and the situation quickly escalates to physical violence. When the news about the incident broke, the media and portrayed the women not as victims, but as a "gang of killer lesbians."

Is this yet another example of how ill-equipped the media is at handling stories concerning race, womanhood, sexuality, and gender identity? Is "self-defense" a right only for some in our criminal justice system? Let's discuss.

"If your membership has lapsed, WE NEED YOU (RI) NOW! Please renew your membership. And, bring 10 friends along with you, for to succeed in accomplishing our goals -- particularly in this political environment -- we need to strengthen our collective voices. And, as we learned this Fall, we can only be Stronger Together," write organizers.

The evening is co-sponsored by Sojourner House, and Black and Pink PVD. This event is free, but a $5 donation is suggested. The doors will open at 6 p.m., with the movie beginning promptly at 6:30 p.m. The discussion will begin around 8 p.m.

The screening and discussion of "Out in the Night" will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 17 at the Everett Theater, 9 Duncan Ave., Providence, RI 02906. For more information, visit www.rinow.org