I Was Born This Way

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I Was Born This Way

Oct 2025

1h 40m

Documentary

History

LGBTQ+

Music

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100%

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10 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

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."

Carla Hay

Culture Mix

I Was Born This Way is a worthy tribute to Carl Bean, who was an archbishop, former disco singer, and overlooked pioneer in LGBTQ civil rights activism. The documentary's old interviews with Bean (who died in 2021) and others make it look a bit outdated.

Oct 31, 2025

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Christopher Campbell

Nonfics (Substack)

[Carl Bean] is a good storyteller, and I enjoyed listening to, more than viewing, the film, which doesn’t have a lot of necessary or interesting visual elements.

Oct 31, 2025

Full Review

Lapacazo Magrira Sandoval

Los Angeles Sentinel

If the film sometimes swells with abundance, it does so in the spirit of its subject, a man for whom enough was never enough when it came to justice or joy.

Oct 28, 2025

Full Review

John Stark

Mac the Movie Guy

I’m not convinced of the need for reenactments. i pretty much love this unconditionally, even though it doesn’t have audio description.

Rated: 84/100

Sep 6, 2025

Full Review

Alise Chaffins

MacGuffin or Meaning (Substack)

I Was Born This Way shows that these weren’t simply lyrics that Archbishop Carl Bean sang, but the way that he lived his life. Now it’s up to us to follow in his footsteps and do the same.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jul 15, 2025

Full Review

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

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 40 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Filmed in 2025 in color!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Celebrating 5 years on: October 31st, 2030!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/31/25

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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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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
Distributor: JungeFilms
Production Co: JungeFilms
Genre: Documentary, History, LGBTQ+, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 31, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 40m