In an act of truly awesome recognition that black LGBT people are also a part of black history, the White House will screen the groundbreaking documentary Holler If You Hear Me: Black and Gay in the Church as a part of their Black History Month activities.
The documentary is a BET.com original written and directed by their out entertainment editor Clay Cane, and was recently nominated for a GLAAD Media Award:
Holler If You Hear Me: Black and Gay in the Church puts the narrative in the hands of Black LGBT people who are struggling with the intersections of sexuality, faith and race. The stories in the documentary are varied, passionate and inspiring.
Clay Cane, who created and produced the film, traveled to Atlanta, where church and LGBT culture cross paths like nowhere else, to dive into one of the most taboo topics in the Black community.
With extraordinary access and without judgment, Cane and BET.com tackle this controversial but important issue through the journeys of those who are living it everyday and whose stories prove we all deserve to be heard and loved.
Cane is obviously elated at the recognition:
“Having Holler If You Hear Me: Black and Gay in the Church at the White House for Black History Month is beyond a dream come true — it’s something I never could have dreamed of.
From the beginning, my intent was to give voice to the voiceless, to share the stories and truths of people who were silenced. For the voices of these LGBTQ black folks to be heard at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave is incredible. I am so thankful for this opportunity.”
We got an opportunity to catch the doc at the premiere late last year, and it’s a moving and important film that features voices that aren’t typically heard in mainstream media.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Young LGBT blacks in the south are given the opportunity to tell their stories, and their experiences are a wakeup call to anyone who thinks the fight for equality is “over.”
You can check out the trailer below, and watch the documentary in its entirety here. We highly recommend you check it out.
Xzamilio
While I do find religion and gods to be nonsense, I do plan on watching this documentary. It’s interesting to see how LGBT individuals reconcile being religious and having to deal with rejection in their own congregations — or those denominations that are welcoming and evolving.
Aromaeus
I’d rather a documentary on white gays and their hypocrisy when it comes to calling out homophobia but perpetuating racism.
o.codone
And, another documentary about blacks who call out homophobia but voted for Obama because he was black.
rickhfx
@Xzamilio: It’s a schizo mentality, love your oppressor..
Black Pegasus
What’s the need for a documentary? They are self loathing human beings who believe in Demons, Angels and omnipotent magical creatures. A person of any color, gender or sexual orientation is just as stupid. Why the focus on Gay Black Men in the church?
joeyty
@Xzamilio: It might be extremely interesting stuff ( as good documentaries often are !) and I hate how people are judging it before seeing it.
CCTR
@joeyty: Although it wasn’t an eye opening documentary for me, I hope it will be to some others that watch it. I did find it to be quite an interesting documentary with differing perspectives. I most appreciated Clay Cane’s activisnm in trying to change hearts and minds. Regardless of our individual realities there are people of all colors, religions, and sexual orientations affected by the intersections of religious faiths and sexuality, particulary homosexuality. Hopefully it will inspire positive change.
CCTR
@Black Pegasus: the focus of the documentary is on black LGBT, but not just the men
GayEGO
The fight for equality is on going for several human beings of all races and genders. Although I do believe some good, loving, inclusive, and positive values are taught by some religions, they have also taught negative, hateful, hoopla which has no value and is against humanity, creating extremists like ISIS, the WBC, etc.
joeyty
@CCTR: Thanks for the review.
TheFinalWord
Saw this movie screened at NYU. Very well done, Clay!