SAN FRANCISCO—Shine Louise Houston, founding director of Pink & White Productions, was recently honored with the 2015 Sylvester Pride in the Arts Award from the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club.
The award recognition comes at a pivotal moment in the director's career, as her company celebrates its 10th anniversary and she begins production on her fifth feature film, SNAPSHOT, an erotic thriller which draws influence from the filmmaker's experiences as a queer woman of color.
Houston was recognized for "providing many of us with the opportunity to see ourselves and our desires reflected in her films," said a representative. "We appreciate the multi-gender inclusivity of her work and the political lens behind it."
Accepting the California State Legislature Assembly Certificate of Recognition, Houston expressed her desire to see her sexuality and her community represented in pornography, adding: "We need stories about this intimate part of our lives because stories help us understand who we are and who can be. I want to hold this space, like those who held this space before me, for future generation to tell their stories. I make porn because queer bodies, trans bodies, brown bodies, and fat bodies are beautiful. I make porn to make our voices heard. I make queer porn to set the story straight."
The annual gala gathered more than 300 of San Francisco's most influential LGBT politicians, community activists, and grassroots organizers with a keynote speech by Councilmember Jovanka Beckles, and the Harry Britt Lifetime Achievement Award to Miss Major, veteran of the Stonewall Rebellion. Angela Davis, Dustin Lance Black, Sean Penn, and CeCe McDonald are among past keynote speakers who inspired members and allies to continue the transformative work they do every day.
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