The Issue

Twenty years ago when I was a young closeted man, "gay" was not a world that was used in polite conversation. It was used as a most damaging taunt or to describe utter disgust. Now, however, with an increase in LGBTQIA+ social and political rights and visibility conservative-religious Americans are having to confront their faith and beliefs around non-heterosexuality. The subsequent rhetoric within households, churches, schools, social media, and community groups is irreparably harming our most vulnerable and we as a society as turning a blind eye.

The discrimination sexual minorities receive continues to have lethal effects over the course of their lives. Conversion therapy is dangerous and deadly, but it just the tip of the iceberg of how queer youth incur mental health trauma in a non-affirming religious upbringing. This docuseries will speak with experts to explore the words, thoughts and behaviors that happen on a daily basis that are adding to the trauma of this at-risk group, and how these same actions are pushing religious, queer youth away from their faith.

The goal of this documentary is to show that reconciliation is possible. Although zealots exist, not all religious people are consciously homophobic and may be unaware of the hurt they cause. Many churches believe they are accepting, however, acceptance is not tolerance - "We accept you in our church but you will need to change". "We accept you, but you are going to hell". These sentiments are proven to be as damaging as more virulent rhetoric. 

However, this documentary will also give voice to religious families trying to reconcile their faith and belief in the bible with the sexuality or identity of their loved ones and try to understand their struggle.

Every decade or so a societal 'moral' or 'gay' panic sweeps the nation fueled by the changing societal, political and economical landscape.

This film will give voice to theologians, advocates and politicians to discuss the signs of the next "gay panic" and the potential consequences. 

The following are only a few of these signs:

• More than 300+ anti-LGBTQ+ bills, many of them aimed at transgender youth, have been introduced in state legislatures this year including 'Parental Rights in Education' (or Don't Say Gay) bill - DeSantis. 
• "Gay and Trans Panic" defenses are being used in US courts more frequently. In these cases, defendants have argued that their violent behavior (including murder and assault) was a rational response to discovering by surprise that the victim was LGBTQ.
• Williams Institute research found LGBTQ people were about four times more likely to experience serious violence, including rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated or simple assault than non-LGBTQ people.
• The Pulse nightclub shooting - 2016
• Texas Pastor says, "Gay people should be shot in the back of the head" - NBC. news, 2022

 "The last fifteen years have seen great growth worldwide in the visibility of people gathering, organizing, and campaigning around sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity... The emergence of new or once-hidden identitiesin political life and in human rights discourse has again prompted a backlash in conservative and religious communities" - Human Rights Watch

This documentary will highlight advocacy and community groups whose mission is to support religious trauma survivors and those who aim to inform, support and encourage religious families to accept their queer family members through faith and love. 

Religion is often external. It is a building, a title, a community, a set of rules. 

Faith is internal. It is belief, spirituality, one's relationship to God.

For many queer individuals, faith is an integral part of their identity. Religion often convinces queer individuals that living as their authentic selves means abandoning their faith, however, faith can exist without - or at times, in spite - of religion. No longer will straight religious zealots be the gatekeepers of our faith.