The New Black follows six African-American faith leaders to explore how Black, faith, and LGBT communities intersected in Maryland's campaign for marriage equality, where the role of the Black church as the community's institutional pillar took on a whole new dynamic.
“This film is critical for African-American people of faith because while it powerfully portrays the courage, determination and humanity of persons on both sides of this controversial issue, it also uncovers the homophobia and heterosexism that continue to plague and divide black churches, families and communities,” says Reverend Dennis W. Wiley, Ph.D., Pastor of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ in Washington, D.C. “In the final analysis, it makes a compelling case that gay rights are indeed civil rights, that all citizens deserve equal justice under the law, and that every human being is a child of God.”
The New Black won the Audience Awards at AFI Docs, Philly Q Fest and Frameline37. The film is also an official selection at Los Angeles Film Festival and Human Rights Watch Film Festival. Check out the trailer below.
The film is partnering with web-platform Tugg to help people bring The New Black to their local theaters and churches for screenings, starting on National Coming Out Day October 11. Tugg empowers the audience to bring the films they want to see to the theater by allowing people to become "promoters." To host a screening, simply request a title from the company's library, work with Tugg to reserve a venue and then spread the word. Once enough people purchase reserve tickets to meet the threshold requirement, the event is confirmed.
“We’re at a historic moment where LGBT issues are at the forefront of the national debate," says director and producer Yoruba Richen. "It's an honor for The New Black to be a part of the conversation. Partnering with an innovative platform like Tugg allows us to bring this film and important discussion to theaters and communities across the country.”
Advocates for marriage equality are encouraged to organize a screening and discuss the role of faith and race in their advocacy work.
