'Billy & Alan,' Doc Exploring A Nightmare Scenario, A Highlight Of 'True ...

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'Billy & Alan,' doc exploring a nightmare scenario, a highlight of 'True Colors' LGBT exhibition Share this
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Billy and Alan

The documentary short 'Billy & Alan' retells the legal nightmare Orlando Weekly columnist Billy Manes (right) endured after the suicide of his partner of 11 years, Alan Ray Jordan. The movie screens at 2 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 23) at Antenna Gallery as part of 'True Colors.' (Photo courtesy Billy Manes)

In 37 minutes, "Billy and Alan" covers over a year of anguish that far too many gay couples could face.

That's just one of the messages that its subject, alt-weekly journalist Billy Manes, hopes to convey in presenting the short documentary as part of "True Colors," the 2nd Annual LGBT and Allied Art Exhibition. The event, co-hosted by Press Street | Antenna Gallery, Dancing Grounds and Ashe Cultural Arts Center, focuses on and examines issues facing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer populations and will feature more than 50 artists.

While events have been held over the past week or so, "Billy & Alan" will screen at 2 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 23) at the Antenna Gallery (3718 St. Claude Ave.), followed by a panel discussion including Manes and hosted by Forum for Equality's Chris Otten.

In "Billy and Alan," filmmaker Vicki Nantz tells the story of the ordeal that Manes endured after the 2012 suicide of his partner of 11 years, Alan Ray Jordan, after Jordan's depression over struggling with AIDS sent him into a tailspin. The nightmare continued for Manes, an Orlando Weekly columnist, when Jordan's relatives immediately swooped in and seized jointly owned property (much of which was solely in Manes' name) and even Jordan's body. The moves sent Manes through a legal odyssey that is only recently coming to a close, but has been instructive of the challenges gay couples face in states like Florida and Louisiana.

"The funny thing is, we did do estate planning," Manes said by phone from his office at Orlando Weekly. "A lot of couples asked me for advice and I've said, 'I thought we had a fail-safe plan.'"

The movie is a mix of interviews with friends and supporters, including Manes' attorney, Mary Meeks, explaining not only the legal but psychological toll this kind of battle can take on a person. Much of the heart of the film comes from Manes' narration pulled from his award-winning piece for Orlando Weekly, "Til Death Do Us Part." Manes' own words, which ultimate lead to him facing the camera for concluding thoughts, make a personal film that much more intimate for the viewer.

"For me, it's about personalizing the story for people," Manes said. "Everyone thinks that death is a tidy thing. That it's an absolute. It's not. It's ugly. It's ugly for a long time. So I just think it's important that that's part of this message: to get your accounts in order. To get everything settled."

"Billy & Alan" has resonated with festival-goers around the nation, and at first Manes felt he had discussed his story enough. But a May visit to New Orleans put him in touch with "True Colors" organizer Hollis Hannan, and they agreed he should return to discuss the film one more time.

These days an appearance can feel like a triumphant moment; since Jordan's death in 2012, the tidal shift on gay marriage in particular and civil unions in general has been felt in courthouses and state legislatures across America.

"I feel so validated. It's so important that every life be a lesson for the lives that come after it, and I'm really happy to see these monumental changes happen," Manes said. "I'm so sick of the wedge issue of my identity. I don't think anyone can use that anymore. People who try to do that now, they look really bad.

"There's been an amazing change of tone."

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