U People in Memphis

In anticipation of the U People Visible Voices tour this fall in the south, U People filmmakers Olive Demetrius and Hanifah Walidah visited Memphis Tennesse for Mid-South Gay Pride.

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While there we met with Beverley Robertson at the National Civil Right Museum who has embraced the idea of screening U People at the museum this Fall October 3rd. U people will be the first LGBT centered film screened at the museum.

We also met with community activists, progressive reporters, the University of Memphis, MGLCC, progressive religious leaders, organizers in the nearby Nasheville area and many of the beautiful everyday folks who make up the Memphis LGBT community. These meetings were set to develop support around what will be a historic event that potentially can bring further understanding, equality and rights to the LGBT community in the south and nationwide.

Memphis is considered by some to be behind other southern states in LGBT education, social acceptance and progressive thought around legal rights. REcently an ordinane was passed to protect LGBT city workers from being harrassed and/or fired if found out that they were gay. Though this is a step in the right direction the ordinance does not specify “sexual orientation” or specifically “lesbian, gay or trangender peoples”. Many feel that this is so because it will affirm political support of these communities or simply folks are uncomfortable with these terms. And many expressed during our visit th efear of the church and society and their reaction to U People being screened at the Civil Rights Museum. But the majority of those we spoke too despite these feelings felt that regardless it is time. And are on board to make sure this event happens and is successful.

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Below is a clip of Olive and Hanifah speaking at teh Memphis Pride Homesexuality and the Black Commuity Forum. Please fast forward the recorded broadcast around 15 minutes to reach the tak given by the filmmakers.