Common Ground

Three stories about gay life in the fictional small town of Homer, Connecticut, over the past half century. Johnny Burroughs has lived in Homer his entire life and has watched the characters’ different experiences from the center of town. In the 1950s, Dorothy Nelson returns to Homer and is alienated after the town finds out she has been dishonorably discharged from the Navy when the military police assume that she is a lesbian because she is caught in a raid at a gay bar with fellow sailor Billy Temple. In the 1970s, high school swim team star Toby Anderson is beaten by schoolmates who suspect he prefers boys to girls. Toby looks for support from his gay teacher, Gil Roberts, who initially refuses to “come out” for fear of losing his bid to become principal of the high school. In 2000, Amos and Andy have decided to marry in the town’s community center, which is supported by the town elders, but protested by a group of veterans, including Amos’ dad Ira. –inbaseline.com