WASHINGTON– The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, is pleased to announce the premiere of the film Before God: We Are All Family Oct. 1, 2013, at the GALA Hispanic Theater in Washington, DC.  The film tells the story of five religious Latino families who have lived with the sting of repressive church teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity.  View a promotional video of the film.

“This short documentary is a story of reconciliation and will be meaningful for anyone who has longed to find a way to bring together who they are, whom they love and what they believe,” said Dr. Sharon Groves, director of the HRC Religion and Faith Program.  

“Familia – family – is at the center of the intersection of faith, sexuality and culture for Latinos.  This film brings these worlds together in ways we have not seen before,” said Lisbeth Melendez Rivera, national coordinator for A la Familia, a project under HRC’s Religion and Faith Program.

The film explores the experiences of lesbian, gay, and transgender people of deep faith – who have been told there is no place for them in their church of origin, and for their parents and siblings – who have been cruelly asked to choose between those they love and the religion they trust. For many in the LGBT community, coming out to friends or family is an intimidating, and sometimes frightening moment. For those in the Latino community the struggle is often compounded at the intersection of religion, cultural identity and family.   

Shot in United States and in Puerto Rico and moving between English and Spanish, Before God shows the daily struggle of immigrant and native born Latino families who find their strength and their faith through the struggles they face.  

Groves added, “By boldly and lovingly exploring the delicate web of faith, family, and sexuality, the families in Before God do something extraordinary.  They offer us a path from exile to liberation where difference becomes the source of strength and the spirit of an expansive love--so central to Latino culture--can flourish and call all of us to a new way to be familia.”

The GALA Hispanic Theater, known as the National Center for Latino Performing Arts, is located in Columbia Heights, the heart of DC’s Latino community.  The film and a panel discussion will follow a reception with the filmmaker and family members.  For more information, visit hrc.org/events/entry/premiere-of-before-god-we-are-all-family.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.