From: "JULIA SAMANTHA DURKIN" Date: Mon, 5 Jul 1999 12:09:25 +1200 Subject: legal status of gay relationships editor@newsroom.com PRESS RELEASE Lesbian Director's Debut Shorts `Coming Out' and `I Do' The two debut pieces of TV by new director, Julia Durkin, are to screen on Triangle Television on Thursday July 8th 1999. They will top and tail the `Queer Nation' slot at 9pm and 9.30pm to reach the relative audience. The `Coming Out' piece is a short look at the most unique identifiable process of gay and lesbian life, how the general public reacts to the potential of being told by their best friend or family member that they are gay and how `coming out' was experienced by 3 Auckland people. Duration is 2'48' and was shot in Auckland in April, edited in May. The `I Do' piece is a longer look at the legal status of gay and lesbian relationships. Interviews with 4 people about how they feel about same sex marriage interspersed with public comment about legalising gay marriages. Duration 6'12' and was shot in Auckland in April, edited in July. Later screenings of `I Do' are planned for the run up to the 1999 General Election with closing credits `It's your life, it's your vote, VOTE FOR EQUALITY' highlighting the importance of voting for the gay and lesbian community in 1999. A copy of the `Coming Out' piece is being sent to Christchurch Hagley College for use on their newly announced `Coming Out' course that is starting up for parents of gay and lesbian students. Julia Durkin, has over ten years TV and film production experience. She has also organised queer events such as the 1995 Coming Out Day parade, the 1996 and 1997 HERO parades, 1997 Walking Proud parade and was the audio visual producer for the inaugural Hero Festival Gala in 1998. Her founding of the Dr Marten's Marching Girlz, arranging major sponsorship of the troupe saw the girls get a slice of the Marching action at Hero in 1997 and 1998, leaving the troupe to a new manager Yaneece Love in 1999. For further information please call Julia Durkin on 378-9095.