Queer Film Club (QFC) is proud to present BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER on Thursday, May 16th at 6:30 pm. Entry is free with a suggested donation of $5.

But I'm a Cheerleader is a 1999 American satirical teen romantic comedy film directed by Jamie Babbit in her feature directorial debut and written by Brian Wayne Peterson. Natasha Lyonne stars as Megan Bloomfield, a high school cheerleader whose parents send her to a residential in-patient conversion therapy camp to "cure" her lesbianism. At camp, Megan realizes that she is indeed a lesbian and, despite the "therapy", comes to embrace her sexuality. The supporting cast includes Clea DuVall, RuPaul, and Cathy Moriarty.

Babbit was inspired by an article about conversion therapy and her childhood familiarity with rehabilitation programs. She used the story of a young woman finding her sexual identity to explore the social construction of gender roles and heteronormativity. The costume and set design of the film highlighted these themes using artificial textures in intense blues and pinks.

When it was initially rated as NC-17 by the MPAA, Babbit made cuts to allow it to be re-rated as R. When interviewed in the documentary film This Film Is Not Yet Rated Babbit criticized the MPAA for discriminating against films with homosexual content. The film was not well received by contemporary critics of the time, who compared it unfavorably to the films of John Waters, and criticized the colorful production design. The lead actors were praised for their performances but some of the characters were described as stereotypical. The film has since developed a cult following.

QFC is an exciting collaboration between East Rock House and Best Video Film & Cultural Center. QFC will be presenting a series of queer comedies.