The New Black: a Documentary on Race and LGBT Equality Showing This Saturday, November 2nd

The New Black Exclusive Theatrical Engagement at Laemmle Music Hall 3, Nov 1 – 7, 2013 Audience Q&As feature Filmmaker Yoruba Richen and Film Principal Karess Taylor-Hughes

  Over a dozen community organizations are proud to support the Los Angeles theatrical run of one of this year's most provocative and timely documentary films - "THE NEW BLACK" - A FILM BY YORUBA RICHEN

This moving and insightful film has sparked meaningful dialogue and audience raves on the film festival circuit. It was awarded the Audience Award at AFI DOCS; Audience Award at PHILLY Q FEST; and the Audience Award at FRAMELINE SAN FRANCISCO; and won Best Documentary at the URBANWORLD FILM FESTIVAL.

Directed and produced by Yoruba Richen, THE NEW BLACK addresses the issue of how the African American community is dealing with the gay community in light of the recent gay marriage movement and the fight over civil rights. The film documents activists, families and clergy on both sides of the campaign to legalize gay marriage and examines homophobia in the black community’s institutional pillar—the black church and reveals the Christian right wing’s strategy of exploiting this phenomenon in order to pursue an anti-gay political agenda. THE NEW BLACK takes viewers into the pews and onto the streets and provides a seat at the kitchen table as it tells the story of the historic fight to win marriage equality in Maryland and charts the evolution of this divisive issue within the black community.

“We’re at a historic moment where LGBT issues are at the forefront of the national debate," says Richen. "It's an honor for The New Black to be a part of the conversation. Partnering with Los Angeles area community organizations allows us to bring this film and important discussions to a wide range of audiences.”

Organizations supporting screenings include On Level Ground, GSA Networks, Company Unity Fellowship Church, CARE Multicultural Healing, Sky Earth Fire Organization, Sistah Sinema, Black Lesbians United (BLU), Sankofa Events Project Management, Fuller Seminary, Sista2Sista and the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC).

SpectrumQueerMedia.com’s founder Monica Anderson will moderate discussions at a number of the weekend screenings.

“Regardless of your race or religious beliefs, everyone should see this film,” says Sharon Lettman-Hicks, documentary subject and Executive Director/CEO of NBJC, the nation’s leading black LGBT civil rights organization. “The black community is not a monolith—this film makes that unequivocally clear. It’s time we weed through the stereotypes and get to the real stories around family and faith.”

To purchase limited release discount tickets to the November 2nd, 9:30pm screening visit: https://thenewblacklapremiere.eventbrite.com/

To purchase tickets for all other Los Angeles screenings visit the Laemmle website: http://www.laemmle.com/films/37223

The exclusive engagement at The Laemmle Music Hall 3, 9036 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA runs from November 1 – 7, 2013.

For more information about The New Black visit newblackfilm.com

Credit: Kin Folkz