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Joe Stevens and his band Coyote Grace, on stage (courtesy the film Real Boy)
Beyond the Films
June, 9, 2017

Trans Musicians Carving Their Own Identities [Updated June 2022]

Independent Lens in Beyond the Films

By Craig Phillips and Independent Lens Staff ​​Real Boy is the portrait of Bennett, who is undergoing gender reassignment surgery, and his mom's struggle to process the change. But it's also the portrait of Bennett as a young musician mentored…
Bennett and Joe from Real Boy, sitting on steps in front of Joe's house comparing chin hairs
August, 23, 2016

Real Boy

Independent Lens

A moving and intimate story of a family in transition, Real Boy follows the journey of trans teen Bennett as he navigates adolescence, sobriety, and the physical and emotional ramifications of his changing gender identity. Through the process, his mother…
Tony Sullivan in the living room of the home he shared with late partner Richard Adams for decades
Where Are They Now?
June, 8, 2016

United States Officially Recognizes Tony Sullivan and Richard Adams’s Marriage

Craig Phillips in Where Are They Now?

For those of you who remember the dear story told in the Independent Lens film Limited Partnership, longtime partners Tony Sullivan and Richard Adams became one of the first same sex couples to be legally married in the world, in 1975 in…
Two hands surround a playing card featuring the image of James "The Amazing" Randi in his younger days
December, 1, 2015

An Honest Liar

Independent Lens

For the last half-century, James “The Amazing” Randi has entertained millions with his dazzling feats of magic, escape, and trickery. Along the way he discovered that faith healers, fortune-tellers, and psychics were using his beloved magician’s tricks to swindle money…
Limited Partnership director Tom Miller (left), and producer Kirk Marcolina
Uncategorized
June, 15, 2015

Limited Partnership Filmmakers Commit Years to Telling Marriage Equality Story

Craig Phillips in Uncategorized

Tom Miller committed a long period of his life — 14 years — to his film Limited Partnership, and it became a true labor of love, appropriate for what is at its very heart a love story. The film traces…
Richard Adams and Tony Sullivan at the Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation in Paris during their European exile.
June, 15, 2015

Limited Partnership

Independent Lens

Limited Partnership chronicles the 40-year love story between Filipino American Richard Adams and his Australian husband, Tony Sullivan. In 1975, thanks to a courageous county clerk in Boulder, Colorado, Richard and Tony were one of the first same sex couples…
Clela Rorex, Richard Adams, and Tony Sullivan re-united decades after Clela issues the couple's groundbreaking marriage license.
Beyond the Films
June, 12, 2015

Bringing the Same-Sex Marriage Debate Full Circle

Craig Phillips in Beyond the Films

Tony Sullivan is no stranger to practicing the art of patience. He navigated through decades of legal fights with the U.S. government over both his own legal status as an immigrant from Australia and the legality of his marriage to…
May, 4, 2015

Kumu Hina

Independent Lens

Kumu Hina is the story of Hina Wong- Kalu, a transgender native Hawaiian teacher and cultural icon who brings to life Hawaii’s long-held embrace of mahu — those who embody both male and female spirit, and were traditionally respected as…
African American protestors carry a sign that reads "Vote for Prop 6."
June, 15, 2014

The New Black

Independent Lens

The New Black tells the story of how the African American community is debating the marriage equality movement and the fight over LGBT rights. The film documents activists, families, and clergy on both sides of the campaign to legalize gay…
Three people, all with dark skin tone, stand together on Election Day wearing voting stickers. One holds a sign that says "Vote for... marriage equality."
Film History
June, 10, 2014

LGBTQ Pride: Movies That Rocked Their World [Updated]

Craig Phillips in Film History

June is always LGBTQ Pride Month, and traditionally it's been both a time for reflection on gay history and struggles (originally created to commemorate the Stonewall riots of June 1969), along with a colorful, pride-ful celebration of many important achievements and milestones. Since Independent…
May, 19, 2014

God Loves Uganda

Independent Lens

God Loves Uganda explores the role of the American evangelical movement in Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa,” where American missionaries have been credited with creating schools and hospitals, but also blamed for promoting dangerous religious bigotry. For many American evangelicals,…
Uncategorized
May, 16, 2014

Filmmaker Roger Ross Williams on God Loves Uganda

Craig Phillips in Uncategorized

Roger Ross Williams won an Academy Award for his short documentary Music by Prudence, which told the moving story of 21-year-old Zimbabwean singer-songwriter Prudence Mabhena, who was born severely disabled and has struggled to overcome poverty and discrimination. For his first feature-length documentary God…