Out On Screen is bringing back the highly anticipated Annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF) for its 34th edition and we welcomed their ED, Brandon Yan to join us and talk about all the incredible programming that is in store for you. The festival runs August 11-21st this year, both online and in person with a creative theme of “Make It Yours” inviting audiences to return to the political grassroots. The Festival expands a provincewide video-on-demand selection with 2-3 theatre screenings per-day in Vancouver. Passes are on sale now at www.queerfilmfestival.ca with full programming and tickets for the VQFF 2022 at that site as well.



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Timothy McLemore (he/him) is the founder of Essential Haus, a non-profit organization in Miami, Florida, that provides a safe place for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community who have been affected by domestic violence and homelessness.

His new book, “Love Is Not Abuse,” speaks about his own personal experiences with domestic abuse in a gay relationship and provides resources and hope for others who find themselves trapped in similar relationships. McLemore is a community organizer, social media influencer and creator of “Gays with Stories,” a popular Instagram page that shares the positive stories of gay men around the world. His mission is to bring awareness to LGBTQ+ relationship issues and provide a safe space for anyone living a truth not widely accepted by mainstream society. His dedication to the LGBTQ+ community is inspired by his own struggles of growing up biracial and gay. His vision for future generations is to have a better experience, and that fuels his motivation to inspire self-acceptance and self-expression for all. His book is titled Love Is Not Abuse, available on Amazon - a portion of the proceeds (or all of the proceeds) support Essential Haus. And to learn more about Tim and the work he is doing, follow him on the socials at @essentialhaus @essentiallytim @gayswithstories

Brandon Yan is the executive director of Out On Screen. He joined Out On Screen seven years ago and has been a key team member for the annual festival. Yan was previously the education director for Out in Schools and was then named deputy executive director for Out On Screen, ultimately becoming the organization’s executive director. Follow Brandon on Insta at @citizenyan or on twitter at @citizenyan