Black Nations/Queer Nations? (1995)

This documentary film records the groundbreaking March 1995 conference on lesbian and gay identities within the African diaspora. The event united prominent scholars, activists, and artists like Essex Hemphill, Kobena Mercer, Barbara Smith, Urvashi Vaid, and Jacqui Alexander to examine the economic, political, and social challenges faced by Black lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender individuals. The film highlights key moments from the conference and explores the relationship between popular culture and contemporary Black gay media. Participants address topics including Black queer identity, the limitations of Black nationalism, and homophobia within Black communities. Using examples like Isaac Julien's "The Attendant" and Jocelyn Taylor's "Bodily Functions," the documentary emphasizes the significance of this historic conference for Black lesbians and gays.