Video: Gay documentary plea goes viral
A video of key moments in the US’ gay rights movement has become a viral hit.
The montage of clips is a plea by film-maker Ryan James Yezak for funding to make a documentary on discrimination in America.
Second Class Citizens would examine how gays and discriminated against in: marriage, adoption, private education and religions, employment, the donation of blood, semen and bone marrow, bullying, housing and gay panic defences.
Yezak’s 7-minute plea is made up of video clips showing key moments from gay history including the repeal of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy, the killing of Larry King, the death of Jamey Rodemeyer, proposed gay marriage legislation in Washington and the ongoing saga of Proposition 8 alongside many others.
Yezak is seeking $50,000 dollars through crowd-funding to make the film, which has a total budget of $150,000.
At the time of publication, Yezak, who is best known for his spoof music videos of Katy Perry and Rihanna hits, had secured nearly $20,000.
On the documentary’s Kickstarter page, Yezak writes: “I want to make a documentary that encompasses all areas in which we are discriminated against. The general population is not aware that discrimination against the gay community goes beyond marriage & bullying.
“There is far too much hate directed towards our community and I want to capture that hate on camera. In addition, I want to explore where this hate comes from, why it continues to exist, and what we must do to get rid of it. A better solution is needed because the solution we have right now isn’t working fast enough.
“I am not a second class citizen. You are not a second class citizen. Right now, the laws in place (and lack thereof) say that we are. Let’s change that.”
