When we think of the relationship between queerness and religion, we almost always think of a relationship fraught with hostility, pressure, and tension. We think of queer religious people as people whose very lives are full of work and strain. And, in many ways, it is true. That relationship is, in reality, defined by struggle. When being black enters the mix, we have an assortment of identities that many have said is fundamentally in conflict with one another.
But is it?
Michael Donte, in his new film, The Spirit God gave us, wants to retell the story of what it means to contain these assortments of identities without conflict or trauma or struggle. Peace. “The Spirit God Gave Us is about the intersection of faith and queer love as we follow two black teen boys who are ushers for their baptist church, and their journey towards love and spirituality” Donte, the Director and Writer for the film says.
“We haven’t seen black bodies on film in this way — in a way that isn’t exploitative, in a way that isn’t a tragedy, in a way that’s really a celebration of church and religion.” Nicholas Ashe, who plays the role of Malcolm in ‘The Spirit God Gave Us’ says. “I think that’s so inherently rebellious.”
“I think when it comes to the church, it’s easy to showcase trauma,” Donte adds. “But actually, this story is about love and the love (and connection) that the boys have with the church and with each other.”
Donte and Ashe hope the movie offers some sort of solace from the harsh reality of the confluence of blackness and sexuality and religion. “When you have that harsh reality, I think it’s important to show the beauty of what you actually can be.”
To move ‘The Spirit God Gave Us’ into production, the team is running a 20,000 dollar Kickstarter to raise funds for the film. The team will put the money raised towards the production team, actors, equipment, festival fees, safe COVID compliance, locations, and insurance.
Donate as little as $10 to the Kickstarter here.
Photo Credit: Michael Donte / Twitter
