Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM
California African American Museum (CAAM), Los Angeles
Celebrate Pride Month and CAAM’s current exhibition, *Free & Queer: Black Californian Roots of Gay Liberation*, with a screening of I Was Born This Way. This feature-length documentary explores the life and legacy of Archbishop Carl Bean and his resounding message that “love is for everyone.” Bean’s 1977 disco hit and gay anthem, “I Was Born This Way,” was just the start of his mission to create positive change in the world; he later founded the Minority AIDS Project and the world’s first LGBTQ church for people of color. Using innovative rotoscope animation and featuring appearances by Lady Gaga, Questlove, Billy Porter, and Dionne Warwick, the film offers a powerful portrait of a cultural icon. Following the screening, co-director and producer Daniel Junge will join global spiritual leader and activist, Beatitude Bishop Zachary G. Jones, to discuss the film and the enduring influence of Carl Bean.