With gay film accepted by the progressive mainstream, what’s the use of a gay film festival? Answer: to showcase the wealth of queer wonderfulness found in this year’s SLGFF. Among the highlights: the incisive documentaries Vito, We Were Here, and Wish Me Away; the graceful indie drama Heart Breaks Open; and a couple overblown crowd-pleasers perfect for viewing in rooms full of gays, including centerpiece gala Leave It on the Floor and tonight’s opening-night gala Dirty Girl which’ll be followed by a party at Fred Wildlife Refuge featuring a live performance by Melissa fucking Manchester! (Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, Oct 14–23, various locations, www.threedollarbillcinema.org)

David Schmader—former weed columnist and Stranger associate editor—is the author of the solo plays Straight and Letter to Axl, which he’s performed in Seattle and across the US. His latest...