Gay-Themed Documentary Southern Pride, From Small Town Gay Bar Director, Needs Your Help

A decade ago Malcolm Ingram’s documentary Small Town Gay Bar found a lot of acclaim, screening at Sundance and winning awards at the likes of LA’s Outfest and the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. The film, which focused on some small gay establishments in the US Deep South, is now planning a spiritual successor, Southern Pride.

However to do so it needs your help. The movie has set up a Kickstarter, hoping to raise $50,000 towards production costs.

So what will Southern Pride be about? Here’s some info from the Kickstarter: ‘Ten years ago we set out to document the life experiences of the people who frequented small town gay bars in the American South, specifically Mississippi. We had no idea what we’d find, the only thing we knew for sure was that the story of someone in a small town opening up a bar and putting up a rainbow flag, thus alienating themselves from at least 90% of the local population, was a story worth telling.

‘What we found during the shoot were proud, decent, intelligent people who understood the value of community and had an appreciation for these safe spaces that allowed them to be themselves.

‘”Why do you stay?” As we started filming this was the question that came up the most. Surely there must be easier places to be gay? Quickly I realized how ridiculous and borderline offensive people found this question. The fact is, this part of the USA is their home. It’s where they were born and raised, it’s where their families are, it’s where their lives are lived.

‘These were not people who flee. And that struggle is at the root of the new documentary “Southern Pride”

‘This new documentary will be an examination of a community facing a major transition in the world around them. How they cope and how they fight to maintain their freedom and rights.

‘The plan is to get to Mississippi and start shooting by the beginning of the new year. The money raised in this campaign will go directly to making that a reality. The shoot itself is set to take place over a 6 month period and will follow a narrative journey that we are unable to reveal at this time.

‘We are ready, bar owners Lynn and Tammy are ready and the patrons of the Just Us Lounge are ready…

‘…but we need your help.’

That does leave a little mystery as to what exactly it will be about, but if Small Town Gay Bar is anything to go by, it’ll be worth a look. If you want to help, take a look at the fundraising video below and head over to Kickstarter.