“I’m happy, I’m carefree, and I’m gay. I was born this way.” These disco-anthem lyrics, belted by the gifted gay gospel singer Carl Bean, ignited 1970s dancefloors, then faded into novelty until Lady Gaga’s 21st-century tribute resurrected the original. For Frameline49’s official Juneteeth screening, acclaimed filmmakers Daniel Junge (Challenger: The Final Flight) and Sam Pollard (MLK/FBI) put the spotlight back on Bean, whose journey of liberation surprises at every turn.

From a childhood filled with hardship, through music industry triumph, Bean’s ultimate legacy was in founding the Minority AIDS Project — the first to advocate for the care and education of Black and brown people with AIDS. For his final act, Bean returned to his gospel roots and established the Unity Fellowship Church, preaching acceptance and healing to his community. This star-studded documentary features Gaga, Dionne Warwick, and Rep. Maxine Waters singing Bean’s praises, but it’s performer extraordinaire Billy Porter who pays the ultimate tribute when he rescues the title song’s long-lost B-side from the archives. Uplifting and inspirational, I Was Born This Way brings to life the love and pride that was Carl Bean’s lifelong mission.