It's been 15 years since audiences were introduced to Andy, Griff, Jarod, and Nico -- the queer characters who wager to lose their virginity post-high school in the gay camp classic Another Gay Movie. The 2006 film from Todd Stephens (director of the new film Swan Song) was more than a typical teen sex spoof of the era, like American Pie. For Jonah Blechman, who played the outrageous Nico, the film was a courageous and liberating stand for LGBTQ+ affirmation.
"Another Gay Movie was my queer protest film," Blechman says. "It took an incredible amount of courage from the entire filmmaking team to put something so brash, titillating, and poignant into the world, all wrapped up in a candy-colored comedy. It was an incredibly freeing experience, and I have best friends for life from that franchise, as we all jumped into the fire together."
The movie featured a National Lampoon-style sophomoric brand of humor that rubbed some audiences the wrong way but was well-received by LGBTQ+ audiences. ("It's important to give ourselves permission to laugh at ourselves...") The movie is a classic that still draws laughter and cringes in the right places.
Blechman has been busy since then, appearing most recently as the eccentric ex-con animal communicator Milton Michaels in Pet Peeves on Revry.tv, alongside Jennifer Coolidge in Swan Song, and in the sci-fi horror film Claw.
Regarding the cultural significance of Another Gay Movie, Blechman says the film resonates now more than ever.
"All I can say is, I still get recognized and thanked for the hysterical 'education' the film gives about real gay sex and sexuality," Blechman says. "Today, where we have trans people of color leading in TV series and movies, openly in front of and behind the camera, it is a whole other world where affirmation of our representation is thoughtfully considered. I'm grateful to be a part of that evolution."
This story is part of The Advocate's 2021 Film and TV issue, which is out on newsstands October 5, 2021. To get your own copy directly, support queer media and subscribe -- or download yours for Amazon, Kindle, Nook, or Apple News.
