Watch | Stonewall launches new BAME LGBT Voices documentary
The new documentary series explores and celebrates diversity within the BAME LGBT community
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Stonewall has launched the new ‘BAME LGBT Voices Documentary’.
The UK’s leading LGBT charity, created a series of short videos that explore and celebrate the diversity and experiences of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) LGBT people.
Produced and directed by Cherish Oteka, the documentary features a number of BAME LGBT people and looks at a number of different topics in religion, gender, culture, race, visibility and allyship.
Oteka said: “I’m honoured to have produced and directed this series of documentaries in partnership with Stonewall to profile the lived experiences of LGBT people of colour.
“Intersectionality is too often left out of the conversation on LGBT equality. I want this series to enrich these conversations and encourage people to learn more about the compounded challenges people can face when they belong to several marginalised communities.
“Most importantly, I hope this series acts as validation for LGBT people of colour who rarely see themselves represented in the media.
“I’m so proud to belong to a long line of art activists of colour who have used their work to document our lives and challenge our erasure.
“I’m incredibly proud to have produced and directed this video series with Stonewall to showcase what life is like for LGBT people of colour.
“This is a group that is too often excluded or marginalised in discussions about LGBT equality.
“Telling the stories and hearing the voices of LGBT people of colour is a powerful way to change conversations about equality and make sure all LGBT people have a seat at the table.”
The new documentary follows several BAME-focused events that the charity has hosted this year including extending the support for UK Black Pride.
Sanjay Sood-Smith, Director of Empowerment Programmes at Stonewall, said: “We don’t often hear stories from LGBT people of colour.
“It’s time they get the prominence they deserve and are brought onto centre stage.
“That’s why we’re so proud of this new series of short films made in partnership with Cherish.
“Listening to and learning from the experiences of marginalised minorities is a vital part of creating a more inclusive culture.
“For that to happen, BAME LGBT people need more public platforms to speak safely about issues that affect them, in their own voices, and for the diversity of their experiences to be represented.
“We also know how important it is for people to see visible role models and we’ll continue our work with BAME LGBT people and communities to ensure they are heard and see themselves reflected across all types of media.”
Check out all the videos on Stonewall’s YouTube channel here.