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I Was Born This Way

Play trailer Poster for I Was Born This Way 2025 1h 40m Documentary History LGBTQ+ Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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When Archbishop Carl Bean sang the 1977 disco hit and gay anthem "I Was Born This Way," it was just the start of his mission to create positive change in the world. He went on to found 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, I WAS BORN THIS WAY is a feature-length documentary exploring the life and legacy of Bean and his resounding message "love is for everyone."

Critics Reviews

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Carla Renata The Curvy Film Critic Questlove, Sam Pollard and Billy Porter have entered Pride Month pay homage to the legacy of a man who deserves way more than his legacy has left behind. Melting animation and talking heads make this doc mesmerizing to watch Jun 13, 2025 Full Review Peter Gray The AU Review I Was Born This Way paints a clear understanding of [Carl Bean's] life, both the struggles and the celebrations. Rated: 4/5 Jun 12, 2025 Full Review Sabina Dana Plasse Film Threat As tribute to Carl Bean, I Was Born This Way captures your attention through stunning audio and employs innovative rotoscope animation, conveying a sense of time and place while capturing an ambiance and awareness. Rated: 8/10 Jun 9, 2025 Full Review Sarah Vincent Sarah G Vincent Views As Presidon’t’s policies have an intended censoring effect in the private and public sectors, sometimes the only countermeasure that can keep this history alive is a documentary Jun 8, 2025 Full Review Chauncey K. Robinson People's World 'I Was Born This Way' is a wild, emotional, and powerful ride through impactful moments in history through the lens of an equally impactful life of a man who picked love over hate and activism over mainstream fame and fortune. Rated: A Jun 6, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Daniel Junge

Director

Sam Pollard

Director

Archbishop Carl Bean

Self

Billy Porter

Self

Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson

Self

Lady Gaga

Self
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I Was Born This Way

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Movie Info

Synopsis When Archbishop Carl Bean sang the 1977 disco hit and gay anthem "I Was Born This Way," it was just the start of his mission to create positive change in the world. He went on to found 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, I WAS BORN THIS WAY is a feature-length documentary exploring the life and legacy of Bean and his resounding message "love is for everyone."
Director
Daniel Junge, Sam Pollard
Producer
Wellington Love, Jed Alan, Daniel Junge
Production Co
JungeFilms
Genre
Documentary, History, LGBTQ+, Music
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 40m