Hiding in the secluded shadows of the media; the “gay issue,” as many people still address it, still gets a limited amount of attention. Sure we can give proper praise to a few breakthrough television shows such as Queer as Folk, or the super-smash musical network hit, Glee for simply slapping audiences hard with a reminder of the subject matter. Shouting out, “hey guys, we exist, too… Hey guys, feel sorry for us, because we’re not socially accepted… hey guys, hey… we’re different- I mean- we’re just like you, dammit! LISTEN!”

Even the films available to us hit a little too hard.

Personally, watching these elaborate attempts at “normalizing” a certain sexuality, doesn’t quite fill the void for me. They just remind me, that the issue alone, still continues to make a spectacle of itself. Which is why I was pleased to come across the film, Shelter. (2007, Markowitz)

This film captures a different view of the gay genre. A view I’ve been desperately wanting to see portrayed for a long time.

Shelter tells the story of a young not-so-simple “surfer dude” named Zach. Zach has a lot of obligations on his plate. A job, raising a nephew that his deadbeat sister seems to neglect daily… Implications in the plot lead us to depict that Zach and his sister lost their mother due to illness, and are challenged with taking care of their sick father with the stress of financial issues. And on top of all of that, Zach secretly wants to pursue his passion of the arts by attending college with the full-ride scholarship he had previously turned down for the sake of his little nephew. Sounds like fun, right? So much fun, that the actual plot of the movie may come across as a bit of a shock to some people when Zach discovers his repressed sexuality starting to surface; with the help of an old friend returning to town. And the audience is more than willing to help him explore it. The film captures “the light at the end of the tunnel,” so to speak. Despite the depressing nature of the subplots, we still manage to enjoy “the little things” of this film. The beautiful beach setting, accompanied with the perfect soundtrack, topped off with a likable cast of characters portrayed believably. It really is hard to go wrong with this one. And I’m always a game for a believable romance that isn’t too far out of anyone’s reach.

Then I think to myself… Why did this film appeal to me so much? Why do I reference this film in the way I so proudly do?
Well, the answer is simple.
For the first time in my life, I watched a gay male character written for the screen that doesn’t feel the need to be extraordinary. He’s a guy, not a “gay guy.” He doesn’t feel the need to put his sexuality on blast in order to prove his point. His only motivations are the well-being of his family he cares deeply about, and finding himself for the sake of his own happiness. Which in the end, is what everyone, not just gays, are after. A chance to be content. And as the film progresses from start to finish, many other messages are declared to us sweetly, but I’d rather let you figure those ones out on your own.

If you have yet to see Shelter, I recommend it highly. Viewing will only risk your spirits being raised.
-Drew Champagne