Lis Bartlett’s debut feature documentary is an affectionate look back at how the legendary West Hollywood Swim Club started back in the early 1980’s and survived some both turbulent and very successful times to morph into being West Hollywood Aquatics Team – who also go by “WH2O”.
These pioneer gay sportsmen first banded together to not just practice an activity they loved, but also to give them a safe gay place to mix together socially outside of bar life.
They had to fight a ban for the right to use a swimming pool, and as they slowly came together they had to deal with the onslaught of AIDS which near decimated their membership. As homophobia increased across the country the swimmers resolved to stick together and help each other fight the hysteria of the moment.
Being a gay sportsmen was (and still is to a certain extent) something of an oxymoron so when they didn’t just become the first openly gay Masters Team but also became a force that could win championships, very much to the amazement of the ‘straights’ only team.
What comes over most in Bartlett’s inspiring documentary made for LOGO is the sheer joy of all the old members who excitedly testify how being a part of WH2O all these years has been a high point of their lives. Now as the team develops and embraces a more diverse membership, non-gay swimmers are clamouring to join.
The film is an important reminder of the crucial part that LGBT organisations like this have been in the shaping of our history, and how as a community we are so good at sticking together through the good and bad times. A sheer joy.
