Illinois Public Media’s June Community Cinema film tells the story of how African American communities are grappling with LGBT rights issues in light of the recent same-sex marriage movement and the fight over civil rights.
The one-hour film follows activists, families and clergy on both sides of the campaign to legalize same-sex marriage while it examines homophobia in the black church. It also reveals the strategy of some Christian activist groups of exploiting this phenomenon in order to pursue a political agenda that opposes LGBT rights.
The free screening and community discussion of The New Black will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 3rd, at the Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana. Free parking is available in U of I lot D22 next to the museum.
Discussion panelists will include Kevin Mumford, professor, University of Illinois Department of History; and Carla Hunter, assistant professor, U of I Department of Psychology.
Threaded throughout the film is the story of the historic fight to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland — Question 6 on the ballot in the 2012 election. In the Maryland election, the LGBT community labors under the shadow of the passage of California’s Proposition 8, denying same-sex marriage rights in that state. Although the role of black voters in the passage of Proposition 8 has been debunked, some LGBT rights advocates nevertheless have learned to reach out to black communities whose members don’t necessarily see LGBT rights as a civil rights issue.
Commentary from clergy provides the church’s perspective on both sides of this divisive issue and puts it into the historical context of slavery and its degrading effects on the black family. A look behind the scenes reveals that LGBT members play significant roles in the church and that many families are struggling with the fact that some of their loved ones are gay.
The New Black airs on WILL-TV’s Independent Lens at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, June 15th.