The New Black: LGBTQ Rights and African American Communities

This award-winning documentary boldly examines the controversial and challenging issues facing African American communities on gay civil rights, campaigns for/against marriage equality and in particular the role of faith institutions. The film makes a compelling case that the fight for LGBT rights in Black communities is an extension of the Black Freedom Struggle.

Director Yoruba Richen was inspired to make the film in response to erroneous reports that African American voters caused the passage of an anti-same sex marriage initiative in the 2008 California election. The film looks at other pro and anti-gay rights campaigns over the years and how right-wing groups have used the issue to make inroads in to black communities. It culminates in the 2012 electoral efforts to preserve - or reverse - marriage equality in Maryland, a state with a substantial African American population.

The film will be useful for teachers of various subjects and departments such as African American Studies, Gender Studies, Sociology, Religion and Political Science as well as those working in Student Services.

A study guide for the film is also available on the ITVS website.

Here is a recent TED Talk by director Yoruba Richen describing why she made the documentary. Yoruba also discusses the film in an interview with Independent Lens.