By Gregg Shapiro

Contributing writer

“Small Town Gay Bar” (Genius Entertainment)—An award-winning documentary that was shown at numerous gay and lesbian film festivals, “Small Town Gay Bar” doesn’t just paint a portrait of small town gay life and the places where the LGBT community congregates in those places, it narrows its focus to the hardships facing queer people in Mississippi.

At Rumors, in the town of Shannon, the only gay bar in northeast Mississippi, we meet owner Rick, and his devoted patrons. Even though Rick is not out to his Pentecostal parents, his pride in being a gay bar owner and a well-respected member of the community is evident. A place to come and “be yourself,” the bar has a large number of supporters, including Jim (a.k.a. “Alicia Silverstone”), Rumors’ show director; Geoff, Rumors’ DJ and Jim/Alicia’s partner; performer Baby Holiday (a.k.a. Jack), Jack’s straight sister Cindy and, in his own way, Mayor Curtis, among others. That’s not to say that there aren’t detractors, including several very vocal townies who made themselves clear in interviews. A few other bars are highlighted, including Meridian’s Crossroads (closed down by the police in 2003), the short-lived Tulip Creek in Tupelo, The Sugar Shack and The Chute. Interviews with former owners, patrons, bartenders, DJs and strippers from the various venues are insightful and even moving.

At the center of the film is the 2004 brutal murder of 18-year-old Scotty Weaver and the hate-mongering of the Westboro Baptist Church. In fact, “Small Town Gay Bar” features extensive and disturbing interview footage with Mississippi native and WBC poster boy Fred Phelps. In spite of all the prejudice and the constant threats of violence in the lives of these LGBT people, “Small Town Gay Bar” ends on something of a high note. Crossroads is purchased by ex-patrons and partners Lori and Ruby, who reopen it as Different Seasons. Rick sells Rumors to Mark and Lena, a gay man and lesbian who, much to the delight of the regulars at the bar, keep the place open, thereby providing the community a place in which to continue to congregate safely among friends and loved ones. Bonus features includes commentary by and an interview with executive producer Kevin (“Clerks”) Smith, a deleted scene, a “conversation” with some of the LGBT folks of Tupelo, interviews with the new owners of Rumors and more.

“The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros” (TLA Releasing)—At 12-years-old, Maxi (Nathan Lopez) is the youngest of three boys. He lives in Manila with his widower papa, Paco (Soliman Cruz), and cooks, and does the laundry and mending and other chores for him and his older brothers Bogs (Ping Medina) and Boy (Neil Ryan Sese). Maxi favors barrettes and headbands, pink and flowery prints. He and his other similarly minded friends have beauty pageants and such. When he is harassed by a couple of older boys, new policeman Victor (Ja Valentin) comes to his rescue, and a bond is struck. Of course, Maxi’s father and brothers are none too pleased since they are essentially thieves, and are worried about having a cop spending so much time with Maxi. The murder of a 16-year-old boy only increases the police presence, especially since one of his brothers may be a suspect. Much to his dismay, Maxi soon finds caught between family loyalty and his growing affection for Victor.