Breakout Star Trevante Rhos on Playg a Gay Man Moonlight: "We're all the exact same"

Contents:

• MOONLIGHT IS A BETIFULLY NUANCED GAY G-OF-AGE TALEMOONLIGHT IS A BETIFULLY NUANCED GAY G-OF-AGE TALE
• 'MOONLIGHT' EXPLOR OFTEN UNSEEN GAY, BLACK MALE EXPERIENCE
• ‘MOONLIGHT' IS NOT JT ANOTHER BLACK GAY MOVIE
• IN 'MOONLIGHT,' GROWG UP BLACK, GAY AND POOR IN 1980S MIAMI
• MOONLIGHT REVIEW – VASTATG DRAMA IS VAL PORTRA OF BLACK GAY MASCULY AMERI
• 'MOONLIGHT' REVIEW: GAY TRIPTYCH FEATUR GREAT PERFORMANC
• DON’T STOP AT “MOONLIGHT”—THERE ARE OTHER BLACK QUEER MOVI TO SEEFILMMAKERS WHO VISUALIZE THE WORLDS AND LIVED EXPERIENC OF BLACK LGBT PEOPLE ARE OVERDUE FOR SER ATTENTN. {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MOVIBY DARNELL L. MOOREAPRIL 20, 2017/3:40 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}MOONLIGHT/A24BY DARNELL L. MOOREAPRIL 20, 2017 / 3:40 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"DON’T STOP AT “MOONLIGHT”—THERE ARE OTHER BLACK QUEER MOVI TO SEE","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2017-04-20T19:40:24.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2017-04-20T19:40:24.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"DARNELL L. MOORE","ARTICLESECTN":"MOVI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE ARE FEW RECENT FILMS AS VISUALLY STUNNG AND HONT AS BARRY JENKS’S MOONLIGHT. THE FILM, BASED ON TARELL ALV MCCRANEY’S PLAY, IN MOONLIGHT BLACK BOYS LOOK BLUE, IS A WORK SOME CRICS HAVE NARROWLY SCRIBED AS AN “LGBT FILM.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT MOONLIGHT IS MUCH MORE THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM IS A CEMATIC MEDATN ON FAY, BOYHOOD, MANHOOD, TIMACY, IENDSHIP, BETRAYAL, FIVENS, HUMAN PLEXY, AND HOME, TOLD OM THE UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE OF BLACK CHARACTERS NAVIGATG LIFE URBAN AMERI—CHARACTERS AND EXPERIENC OFTEN MISSG THE GENRE OF LGBT FILMS. AND THAT IS WHY I UTN THE BROAR, WHE, LGBT MUNY TO NOT BE SO QUICK TO CLAIM MOONLIGHT AS S OWN JT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN A NEW YORKER REVIEW, HILTON ALS SCRIBED TAIL THE MANY WAYS MOONLIGHT "UNDO OUR EXPECTATNS" OF BLACK REPRENTATN CEMA. BUT ALSO UNRAVELED THE EXPECTATNS OF WHE HOLLYWOOD AFTER THE ALL BLACK ST AND PRODUCTN TEAM WON AN OSR FOR BT PICTURE—ONLY AFTER THE SAME AWARD WAS MISTAKENLY HAND OVER TO THE MOSTLY WHE PRODUCTN TEAM AND ST OF LA LA LAND. THE GAFFE WAS AN IRONIC EXAMPLE OF THE WAYS EXCEPTNAL BLACK FILMS TEND TO BE OVERSHADOWED BY THOSE CENTERG ON WHE CHARACTERS—EVEN IF SUCH FILMS ARE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE WATCHG THE AWARDS, I WASN’T EVEN STUNNED WHEN LA LA LAND WAS ANNOUNCED. ONLY A HANDFUL OF FILMS CENTERED ON BLACK PEOPLE’S LIV, DIRECTED BY BLACK PEOPLE, HAVE ACTUALLY WON BT PICTURE. I WAS MOST SURPRISED WHEN THE MISTAKE WAS CLARIFIED AND MOONLIGHT WAS ANNOUNCED AS THE REAL WNER.GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOONLIGHT’S WELL-SERVED SUCCS IS E FOR LLECTIVE CELEBRATN. IT IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE WHEN BLACK FILMMAKERS SPECIFILLY CREATE ART FOCED NOT ON THE HOLLYWOOD GAZE, BUT ON THE WORLDS OM WHICH BLACK PEOPLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT IS ALSO A REMR BLACK MEN WHO FALL LOVE WH OTHER BLACK MEN, LIKE THE TWO MA CHARACTERS MOONLIGHT, ARE NOT NECSARILY BT INTIFIED AS “GAY.” Y, THE FILM PICTS TWO BLACK BOYS-BEG-MEN DISVERG THEIR LOVE, BUT THEIR EXPRSNS OF TIMACY ARE NO QUEERER, NO MORE PROFOUNDLY LIBERATG, THAN THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOONLIGHT IS BUT ONE EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE OF BETIFUL AND TRANSFORMATIVE WORK BLACK FILMMAKERS HAVE ALWAYS CREATED, AND NOT JT THIS YEAR. BLACK FILMMAKERS WHOSE WORKS VISUALIZE THE WORLDS AND LIVED EXPERIENC OF BLACK PEOPLE—SOMETIM THROUGH CHARACTERS WHO INTIFY AS LGBT—ON THE BIG SCREEN OR THE INTER ARE OVERDUE FOR PUBLIC PRAISE. AND EVEN IF THE FILM DTRY AND PUBLIC REFE TO OFFER PRAISE, THE WORK OF THE FILMMAKERS IS NO LS BRAVE AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BLACK FILMMAKERS HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THIS TO BE TE AND HAVE SOUGHT TO “CREATE DANGEROLY,” AS HAIAN-AMERIN STORYTELLER EDWIDGE DANTIT ENURAG, SPE THE WAYS THE AMERIN FILMMAKG DTRY HAS LONG RISTED STORI CENTERED ON BLACKNS AND BLACK LGBT EXPERIENC.TONGU UNTIED/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FILMMAKERS CLUDG MARLON RIGGS, THE BLACK GAY CREATOR OF CELEBRATED DOCUMENTARI LIKE TONGU UNTIED (1989) AND BLACK IS... BLACK A’T (1994), AND BLACK LBIAN FILMMAKER CHERYL DUNYE, THE GENI BEHD THE CLASSIC THE WATERMELON WOMAN (1997), ARE ARTISTS WHOSE WORKS CRIQUED THE SHORTSIGHTEDNS OF MOST LGBT BLOCKBTER FILMS, WORKS WHICH TEND TO LACK BLACK REPRENTATN, S BEFORE MOONLIGHT’S WELL-SERVED ACCLAIM. BUT THERE ARE OTHER FILMMAKERS AND FILMS THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DEE RE’ 2007 FILM, PARIAH, TELLS THE STORY OF BLACK TEENAGE LBIAN ALIKE (APERO ODUYE), GROWG UP AND DISVERG HER QUEERNS BROOKLYN’S FORT GREENE. CHARL B. BRACK’S 2008 DOCUMENTARY DREAM DEFERRED: THE SAKIA GUNN FILM PROJECT REVISS THE MURR OF A 15-YEAR OLD OM NEWARK AND THE RULTG URT BATTLE, AND SHEDS LIGHT ON WHAT MEANS TO LIVE LIFE AS A YOUNG BLACK LBIAN NAVIGATG A WORLD WHERE HOMO-ANTAGONISM MIGHT LERALLY KILL.STUD LIFE/ NEW LIME REPUBLIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CAMPBELL X’S 2012 FILM STUD LIFE ALSO TACKL THE PLEXY OF BLACK LBIAN LIV. AND THERE ARE OTHER FILMS THAT PEER TO BLACK GIRLHOOD, WOMANHOOD AND LBIAN EXPERIENC THE PUBLIC MT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DIRECTED BY DREAM HAMPTON 2015, THE DOCUMENTARY TREASURE: FROM TRAGEDY TO TRANS JTICE MAPPG A DETRO STORY, CHRONICL THE LIFE AND MURR OF SHELLY “TREASURE” HILLIARD, A 19-YEAR-OLD TRANS WOMAN OM DETRO. SEAN BAKER’S HILAR EDY TANGERE (2015) EXPLOR THE NER LIV OF TRANS WOMEN SEX WORKERS.STILL BLACK/BLACK STAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KORTNEY RYAN ZIEGLER’S GROUNDBREAKG DOCUMENTARY, STILL BLACK: A PORTRA OF BLACK TRANSMEN (2008), IS, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE ONLY FILM FOCED ON THE LIV OF BLACK TRANS MEN. AND JACQUELE GAR’ FREE CECE, WAS RELEASED 2016, FOUR YEARS AFTER THE FILMS’ NAMAKE, CECE MCDONALD, A BLACK TRANS WOMAN OM MNEAPOLIS TOOK A PLEA AL FOR A SEND-GREE MANSLGHTER CHARGE RECEIVED FOR FENDG HERSELF AGAST A MAN WHO ATTACKED HER WHILE WALKG WH HER IENDS ON A PUBLIC STREET.THE SKNY/ SZYMON SAYZ {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PATRIK IAN POLKS’ NOAH’S ARC: JUMPG THE BROOM (2008), THE SKNY (2012) AND BLACKBIRD (2014) OFFER NTEMPORARY TAK ON BLACK GAY LOVE AND IENDSHIPS, WHILE DARI CLARK MONROE’S SHORT "SLOW" (2011) ADDRS THE TERSECTNALY OF DISABILY, QUEERNS, AND BLACK LOVE. AND THE WEB SERI NO SHA (2015), IS A TEAR-DRIPPG EDY ABOUT BLACK LGBT LIFE NEW YORK OM CREATIVE AND ROMANTIC PARTNERS SEAN ANTHONY AND TERRY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE ARE A PLETHORA OF FILMS CENTERED ON THE LIV OF BLACK PEOPLE WHO LOVE AND FUCK PEOPLE OF THE SAME SEX, BUT WE ABSOLUTELY SERVE MORE. FILMMAKERS N ONLY CREATE MORE WORKS, HOWEVER, IF THEY HAVE THE FANCIAL ROURC AND DTRY SUPPORT TO DO SO. MOONLIGHT WAS THE LOWT-BUDGET FILM TO EVER W THE OSR FOR BT PICTURE. WHILE THAT'S EVINCE OF BARRY JENKS’ ARTISTRY AND GENUY, 'S ALSO DITIVE OF A LARGER PROBLEM: AS LONG AS LIMED ROURC ARE DIRECTED TOWARD BLACK FILMS, AS LONG AS HOLLYWOOD . THKS SUCH FILMS WON'T REACH MASS DIENC, THE DTRY’S WHENS PROBLEM WILL NEVER BE FIXED.NO SHA/SLAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THANK THE UNIVERSE, THOUGH, FOR THE GENI AND TENACY OF BLACK ARTISTS: NEXT MONTH, THE TORRGTONS ARE LNCHG SLAY TV, AN ONLE PLATFORM FOR ORIGAL NTENT—WEB SHOWS, MOVI, SHORTS, UNSCRIPTED SERI, DOCUMENTARI, MIC, AND MORE—FOCG ON QUEER PEOPLE OF LOR. AND THEY'RE NOT WAG FOR THE MASTREAM AND LGBT FILM DTRI TO GIVE THEIR BLSG. IT'S THAT KD OF DANGEROLY CREATIVE CISN THAT WILL PROPEL BLACK FILMMAKERS, CULTURAL PRODUCERS, AND DIENC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BLACK PEOPLE HAVE BEEN READY FOR THE WORKS. BLACK FILMMAKERS HAVE HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO CREATE SPE LIMATNS. IT’S UP TO THE FILM DTRY AND THE LGBT FILM MARKET TO TCH UP, OR S BACK AND WATCH OM BEHD AS BLACK FILMMAKERS NTUE TO PH GREAT AND NECSARY ART TO THE ONT OF THE STAGE WHOUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

MOONLIGHT IS A BETIFULLY NUANCED GAY G-OF-AGE TALEMOONLIGHT IS A BETIFULLY NUANCED GAY G-OF-AGE TALE

Like Carol and Brokeback Mounta before , Moonlight nveys the pa of the ntug social stigma around homosexualy, the search for eedom and love, and the nstant stggle to munite and drop personal barriers.

Moonlight rembl Brokeback Mounta and Carol s lh stagg, tensely ternal performanc, and treatment of the gay experience a very specific i.

'MOONLIGHT' EXPLOR OFTEN UNSEEN GAY, BLACK MALE EXPERIENCE

Crilly-acclaimed movi like "Milk, " "Brokeback Mounta, " "Boys Don't Cry, " and "Philalphia" all told stori of LGBTQ characters — some real, some fictnal — who fought agast or suffered om of the LGBTQ nome ever snagged the Bt Picture award, though three of the four mentned above rulted actg awards for straight actors who took on gay or transgenr rol. Olson said she was "sadned" to see Cate Blanchett lose the Bt Actrs award, notg that was rare to see a leadg Hollywood actrs portray a lbian character who don't die at the end of the only do "Moonlight" end on an upliftg note, the film breaks barriers by prentg the largely tobgraphil story of a livg, black, gay man told his own words. Tarell Alv McCraney, whose script "In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue" was the basis for the film, also took an Amy Award for Bt Adapted Screenplay on Alv McCraney (right) livers a speech on stage next to Barry Jenks after they won the Bt Adapted Screenplay Osr for "Moonlight" at the 89th annual Amy Awards on Febary 26, 2017Mark Ralston / AFP/Getty ImagIn October, McCraney told NBC Out "Moonlight" isn't jt a "gay film" or a "black film, " that would be "disgenuo" to lim the story to jt one tegory.

"It is a queer story, is a gay story, is a poverty story — you know what I mean?

‘MOONLIGHT' IS NOT JT ANOTHER BLACK GAY MOVIE

"For so long people thought bee the story is black or gay then that means 's not mastream, " Onuorah said.

Sunday night's diverse crop of wners — along wh the Amy's recent vatn to hundreds of women and people of lor to jo s homogeno ranks last year — uld potentially help overe that reputatn.

Mahershala Ali livers a speech on stage after wng the Osr bt supportg actor "Moonlight" at the 89th Adamy Awards on Febary 26, 2017 Los Ralston / AFP/Getty ImagFor Bahamian-born filmmaker Sekiya Dorsett, 's important to intify "Moonlight" as the barrier-burstg black, gay film that is, bee that means the stori of queer people of lor have a reach like never before. One of the film’s most memorable scen when a teenage Chiron star at himself his bathroom, his face bloodied om a fight wh homophobic school bulli. '"It's almost taboo to be a black Amerin man who is homosexual, or a black man who is homosexual bee growg up you're told that you have to be that much more imposg, that much bigger, that much better...

IN 'MOONLIGHT,' GROWG UP BLACK, GAY AND POOR IN 1980S MIAMI

"It's kd of oxymoronic to be homosexual and have those same attribut. ""It has universal them about humany, about our universal search for love and also 's reprentg the gay muny a way that I don't thk they generally are reprented, " the actrs said. Janelle Monae, who plays a surrogate mother figure to Chiron, said she hoped movie-go would "feel more empathetic towards the black, poor gay male experience and that we ntue not to ostracize those who are different om .

It tells the story of Chiron, a gay, black boy growg up poor Miami, and follows him through his teenage years to adulthood.

MOONLIGHT REVIEW – VASTATG DRAMA IS VAL PORTRA OF BLACK GAY MASCULY AMERI

“Beg a black man Amerin is relatively difficult right now, beg a gay man Ameri is credibly difficult and so beg a black, gay man, like I’ve said before, n be perceived as the worst possible thg right now. They key to playg Chiron, he says, was not to assume a difference between beg gay and beg straight.

“One of my bt iends is homosexual so I knew his stggle, but wasn’t about pullg om that.

'MOONLIGHT' REVIEW: GAY TRIPTYCH FEATUR GREAT PERFORMANC

When to films about sexualy, Black gay men have had our share of low budget movi wh medcre actg and stereotypil storyl. McCraney, a Black gay man, often challeng genr and sexualy his work, and the movie he saw much of himself. It’s hard to ll the ma character the film gay bee he never intified as such; however, most of his timate nnectns the movie were between him and another man.

And that do not make a gay or “sissy. For this reason, Moonlight unrsr the experienc many lbian, gay, bisexual and transgenr (LGBT) youth face when creatg their own fay and support system. Hell, even I remember as a young Black gay man beg ncerned about the negative rpons to my sexualy om my fay and close iends.

DON’T STOP AT “MOONLIGHT”—THERE ARE OTHER BLACK QUEER MOVI TO SEEFILMMAKERS WHO VISUALIZE THE WORLDS AND LIVED EXPERIENC OF BLACK LGBT PEOPLE ARE OVERDUE FOR SER ATTENTN. {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MOVIBY DARNELL L. MOOREAPRIL 20, 2017/3:40 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}MOONLIGHT/A24BY DARNELL L. MOOREAPRIL 20, 2017 / 3:40 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"DON’T STOP AT “MOONLIGHT”—THERE ARE OTHER BLACK QUEER MOVI TO SEE","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2017-04-20T19:40:24.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2017-04-20T19:40:24.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"DARNELL L. MOORE","ARTICLESECTN":"MOVI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE ARE FEW RECENT FILMS AS VISUALLY STUNNG AND HONT AS BARRY JENKS’S MOONLIGHT. THE FILM, BASED ON TARELL ALV MCCRANEY’S PLAY, IN MOONLIGHT BLACK BOYS LOOK BLUE, IS A WORK SOME CRICS HAVE NARROWLY SCRIBED AS AN “LGBT FILM.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT MOONLIGHT IS MUCH MORE THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM IS A CEMATIC MEDATN ON FAY, BOYHOOD, MANHOOD, TIMACY, IENDSHIP, BETRAYAL, FIVENS, HUMAN PLEXY, AND HOME, TOLD OM THE UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE OF BLACK CHARACTERS NAVIGATG LIFE URBAN AMERI—CHARACTERS AND EXPERIENC OFTEN MISSG THE GENRE OF LGBT FILMS. AND THAT IS WHY I UTN THE BROAR, WHE, LGBT MUNY TO NOT BE SO QUICK TO CLAIM MOONLIGHT AS S OWN JT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN A NEW YORKER REVIEW, HILTON ALS SCRIBED TAIL THE MANY WAYS MOONLIGHT "UNDO OUR EXPECTATNS" OF BLACK REPRENTATN CEMA. BUT ALSO UNRAVELED THE EXPECTATNS OF WHE HOLLYWOOD AFTER THE ALL BLACK ST AND PRODUCTN TEAM WON AN OSR FOR BT PICTURE—ONLY AFTER THE SAME AWARD WAS MISTAKENLY HAND OVER TO THE MOSTLY WHE PRODUCTN TEAM AND ST OF LA LA LAND. THE GAFFE WAS AN IRONIC EXAMPLE OF THE WAYS EXCEPTNAL BLACK FILMS TEND TO BE OVERSHADOWED BY THOSE CENTERG ON WHE CHARACTERS—EVEN IF SUCH FILMS ARE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE WATCHG THE AWARDS, I WASN’T EVEN STUNNED WHEN LA LA LAND WAS ANNOUNCED. ONLY A HANDFUL OF FILMS CENTERED ON BLACK PEOPLE’S LIV, DIRECTED BY BLACK PEOPLE, HAVE ACTUALLY WON BT PICTURE. I WAS MOST SURPRISED WHEN THE MISTAKE WAS CLARIFIED AND MOONLIGHT WAS ANNOUNCED AS THE REAL WNER.GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOONLIGHT’S WELL-SERVED SUCCS IS E FOR LLECTIVE CELEBRATN. IT IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE WHEN BLACK FILMMAKERS SPECIFILLY CREATE ART FOCED NOT ON THE HOLLYWOOD GAZE, BUT ON THE WORLDS OM WHICH BLACK PEOPLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT IS ALSO A REMR BLACK MEN WHO FALL LOVE WH OTHER BLACK MEN, LIKE THE TWO MA CHARACTERS MOONLIGHT, ARE NOT NECSARILY BT INTIFIED AS “GAY.” Y, THE FILM PICTS TWO BLACK BOYS-BEG-MEN DISVERG THEIR LOVE, BUT THEIR EXPRSNS OF TIMACY ARE NO QUEERER, NO MORE PROFOUNDLY LIBERATG, THAN THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOONLIGHT IS BUT ONE EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE OF BETIFUL AND TRANSFORMATIVE WORK BLACK FILMMAKERS HAVE ALWAYS CREATED, AND NOT JT THIS YEAR. BLACK FILMMAKERS WHOSE WORKS VISUALIZE THE WORLDS AND LIVED EXPERIENC OF BLACK PEOPLE—SOMETIM THROUGH CHARACTERS WHO INTIFY AS LGBT—ON THE BIG SCREEN OR THE INTER ARE OVERDUE FOR PUBLIC PRAISE. AND EVEN IF THE FILM DTRY AND PUBLIC REFE TO OFFER PRAISE, THE WORK OF THE FILMMAKERS IS NO LS BRAVE AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BLACK FILMMAKERS HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THIS TO BE TE AND HAVE SOUGHT TO “CREATE DANGEROLY,” AS HAIAN-AMERIN STORYTELLER EDWIDGE DANTIT ENURAG, SPE THE WAYS THE AMERIN FILMMAKG DTRY HAS LONG RISTED STORI CENTERED ON BLACKNS AND BLACK LGBT EXPERIENC.TONGU UNTIED/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FILMMAKERS CLUDG MARLON RIGGS, THE BLACK GAY CREATOR OF CELEBRATED DOCUMENTARI LIKE TONGU UNTIED (1989) AND BLACK IS... BLACK A’T (1994), AND BLACK LBIAN FILMMAKER CHERYL DUNYE, THE GENI BEHD THE CLASSIC THE WATERMELON WOMAN (1997), ARE ARTISTS WHOSE WORKS CRIQUED THE SHORTSIGHTEDNS OF MOST LGBT BLOCKBTER FILMS, WORKS WHICH TEND TO LACK BLACK REPRENTATN, S BEFORE MOONLIGHT’S WELL-SERVED ACCLAIM. BUT THERE ARE OTHER FILMMAKERS AND FILMS THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DEE RE’ 2007 FILM, PARIAH, TELLS THE STORY OF BLACK TEENAGE LBIAN ALIKE (APERO ODUYE), GROWG UP AND DISVERG HER QUEERNS BROOKLYN’S FORT GREENE. CHARL B. BRACK’S 2008 DOCUMENTARY DREAM DEFERRED: THE SAKIA GUNN FILM PROJECT REVISS THE MURR OF A 15-YEAR OLD OM NEWARK AND THE RULTG URT BATTLE, AND SHEDS LIGHT ON WHAT MEANS TO LIVE LIFE AS A YOUNG BLACK LBIAN NAVIGATG A WORLD WHERE HOMO-ANTAGONISM MIGHT LERALLY KILL.STUD LIFE/ NEW LIME REPUBLIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CAMPBELL X’S 2012 FILM STUD LIFE ALSO TACKL THE PLEXY OF BLACK LBIAN LIV. AND THERE ARE OTHER FILMS THAT PEER TO BLACK GIRLHOOD, WOMANHOOD AND LBIAN EXPERIENC THE PUBLIC MT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DIRECTED BY DREAM HAMPTON 2015, THE DOCUMENTARY TREASURE: FROM TRAGEDY TO TRANS JTICE MAPPG A DETRO STORY, CHRONICL THE LIFE AND MURR OF SHELLY “TREASURE” HILLIARD, A 19-YEAR-OLD TRANS WOMAN OM DETRO. SEAN BAKER’S HILAR EDY TANGERE (2015) EXPLOR THE NER LIV OF TRANS WOMEN SEX WORKERS.STILL BLACK/BLACK STAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KORTNEY RYAN ZIEGLER’S GROUNDBREAKG DOCUMENTARY, STILL BLACK: A PORTRA OF BLACK TRANSMEN (2008), IS, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE ONLY FILM FOCED ON THE LIV OF BLACK TRANS MEN. AND JACQUELE GAR’ FREE CECE, WAS RELEASED 2016, FOUR YEARS AFTER THE FILMS’ NAMAKE, CECE MCDONALD, A BLACK TRANS WOMAN OM MNEAPOLIS TOOK A PLEA AL FOR A SEND-GREE MANSLGHTER CHARGE RECEIVED FOR FENDG HERSELF AGAST A MAN WHO ATTACKED HER WHILE WALKG WH HER IENDS ON A PUBLIC STREET.THE SKNY/ SZYMON SAYZ {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PATRIK IAN POLKS’ NOAH’S ARC: JUMPG THE BROOM (2008), THE SKNY (2012) AND BLACKBIRD (2014) OFFER NTEMPORARY TAK ON BLACK GAY LOVE AND IENDSHIPS, WHILE DARI CLARK MONROE’S SHORT "SLOW" (2011) ADDRS THE TERSECTNALY OF DISABILY, QUEERNS, AND BLACK LOVE. AND THE WEB SERI NO SHA (2015), IS A TEAR-DRIPPG EDY ABOUT BLACK LGBT LIFE NEW YORK OM CREATIVE AND ROMANTIC PARTNERS SEAN ANTHONY AND TERRY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE ARE A PLETHORA OF FILMS CENTERED ON THE LIV OF BLACK PEOPLE WHO LOVE AND FUCK PEOPLE OF THE SAME SEX, BUT WE ABSOLUTELY SERVE MORE. FILMMAKERS N ONLY CREATE MORE WORKS, HOWEVER, IF THEY HAVE THE FANCIAL ROURC AND DTRY SUPPORT TO DO SO. MOONLIGHT WAS THE LOWT-BUDGET FILM TO EVER W THE OSR FOR BT PICTURE. WHILE THAT'S EVINCE OF BARRY JENKS’ ARTISTRY AND GENUY, 'S ALSO DITIVE OF A LARGER PROBLEM: AS LONG AS LIMED ROURC ARE DIRECTED TOWARD BLACK FILMS, AS LONG AS HOLLYWOOD . THKS SUCH FILMS WON'T REACH MASS DIENC, THE DTRY’S WHENS PROBLEM WILL NEVER BE FIXED.NO SHA/SLAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THANK THE UNIVERSE, THOUGH, FOR THE GENI AND TENACY OF BLACK ARTISTS: NEXT MONTH, THE TORRGTONS ARE LNCHG SLAY TV, AN ONLE PLATFORM FOR ORIGAL NTENT—WEB SHOWS, MOVI, SHORTS, UNSCRIPTED SERI, DOCUMENTARI, MIC, AND MORE—FOCG ON QUEER PEOPLE OF LOR. AND THEY'RE NOT WAG FOR THE MASTREAM AND LGBT FILM DTRI TO GIVE THEIR BLSG. IT'S THAT KD OF DANGEROLY CREATIVE CISN THAT WILL PROPEL BLACK FILMMAKERS, CULTURAL PRODUCERS, AND DIENC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BLACK PEOPLE HAVE BEEN READY FOR THE WORKS. BLACK FILMMAKERS HAVE HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO CREATE SPE LIMATNS. IT’S UP TO THE FILM DTRY AND THE LGBT FILM MARKET TO TCH UP, OR S BACK AND WATCH OM BEHD AS BLACK FILMMAKERS NTUE TO PH GREAT AND NECSARY ART TO THE ONT OF THE STAGE WHOUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Often tim when we are troduced to Black gay characters, often volv a bleak story about eher beg HIV-posive, sexually asslted by fay members, or the “down low” boogieman cheatg on his wife. It’s important to realize we have to go beyond the narrativ when talkg about “g of age” movi, and regnize Black gay men have a history of rilience and overg challeng. Black gay men are much more than sexual beasts and dysfunctnal dividuals.

Black gay men serve the space to be human- on and off screen.