I Was Born This Way

This documentary highlights Archbishop Carl Bean's remarkable story. Growing up in Baltimore, he faced significant challenges, yet he forged a path to New York and Hollywood, driven by his passion for music. Bean's career took off when Motown signed him to record "I Was Born This Way," a groundbreaking disco track that became a gay anthem in the late 1970s.

The film not only showcases his musical achievements but also his transition into activism during the AIDS crisis. Rather than continuing his music career, Bean dedicated himself to compassionate activism, founding the Minority AIDS Project and establishing the Unity Fellowship Church, the first LGBTQ+ church for people of color. This documentary is an important reflection on the intersections of music, identity, and social justice.