Just read story about what PBS's show called Frontline is now doing. They have rented a house here in Spokane and are following among other things, whats going on with the Mayor controversy here.
I understand they have spent 4 months here now filming interviews with the residents for a show which will be aired next fall-2006.
"For us, this is an ideal place for a documentary" Frontline producer Muriel Soenens says.
She listed 4 reasons why the filmmakers are in Spokane:
Washingtons likelihood of being the next state on the frontline of gay marraige ( a decision is pending in the State Supreme Court), Spokanes' recent passage of domestic partner benefits, the push to create a gay district here, and "lastly and most obviously, not necessarily most importantly, is Jim West."
Soenens who just left Spokane with her year old son and fellow producer Rachel Dretzin, says the documentary will examine how communities deal with homosexuality.
"Regardless of whether West is gay, or whether he isn't, he has created dialogue about homosexuality," says Soenens, who has spent time interviewing West. " The community is talking about it."
" We wanted a place where we weren't finding obvious extremes," Soenens said. " We wanted a place where things were in the process of being worked out. A complex in between place."
Welcome to Spokanes new civic motto: were complex and in between. " Here, it is just more complicated," Soenens said. " Its both incredibly progressive with dances sponsored by Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trangendered and questioning groups...or, should people get domestic partner benefits?"
We spoke to people in the community and found this would be a particularly ideal place for us because of the way the community is being challenged on a number of fronts.
Our story is unfolding. One of the things time affords us is to complicate the story".
I look forward to seeing this next fall.