Education and Community Programs

If you were here last year for the Red Door Clinic’s presentation about meth, sex, and men, you’ll remember a community dialogue featuring fire alarms and a tornado, in addition to an hour-long meet and greet in the parking garage necessitated by natural disaster. It was a great event that brought together many a dedicated institution to converse about the serious issue of meth use among gay and bi-sexual men in Minnesota. A good time was had by all (even the folks in the parking garage).

Get ready for round 2. Red Door Clinic is back to present a screening of Todd Ahlberg’s startling documentary, Meth, at the Walker Art Center on Wednesday, October 18 at 7:30 pm. Robert Koehler’s review for Variety.com describes it thus:

Documaker Todd Ahlberg’s penchant for cautionary studies of the dark corners of gay culture (Hooked) continues in Meth, a potent broadside on the dangers of crystal meth. Ahlberg trains his sharp, high-def lens on a roster of past meth users (often appearing in tight, claustrophobia-inducing close-ups) who describe their own path to addiction, with an emphasis on the drug’s social allure. Able to strip away inhibitions and work as a stimulant, meth is consistently described here as overwhelming in its power to kickstart the libido. Dealer Andrew McGregor, seen shooting up, wants to get off of meth, calling it “the devil.” Ahlberg surely hopes this will be the conclusion drawn by the young gay viewers he’s pointedly targeting.

Stay after the film for a community dialogue, then head over to Vera’s Cafe in Minneapolis for a fellowship reception until 11pm.

This screening and community forum is a collaboration between the City of Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support, the Minnesota Department of Health, the HIM Program at the Red Door Clinic, West Side Community Health, PrideAlive at the Minnesota AIDS Project, Pride Institute, and Access Works.