Watch Between The Shades

Between The Shades is a documentary from 2017 directed by Jill Salvino that explores the complex and diverse experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. The film is divided into seven chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of the community, such as gender identity, religion and spirituality, and the intersectionality of different identities.

Philip Bergman, a gay man who works as an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, serves as the protagonist and guide of the film, providing commentary and context for the various interviews and stories shared by the participants. The other participants include Madonna Cacciatore, a lesbian feminist activist and founder of the Violence Intervention and Prevention Alliance, and Craig Chorney, a transgender man who works as an advocate for the transgender community.

Throughout the film, viewers are introduced to a diverse array of individuals, each with their own unique background, experiences, and struggles. These participants share their personal stories, shedding light on the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the strength, resilience, and hope that comes from living as one's true self.

One of the most poignant segments of the film focuses on the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals who have been ostracized from their religious communities. One participant, a Jewish lesbian, shares her struggle to reconcile her sexuality with her faith, while another participant, a gay Muslim man, talks about the pressure he feels to hide his sexuality in order to avoid being rejected by his community.

Another chapter of the film explores the experiences of transgender individuals, including the challenges of medical transition and the social stigma and discrimination faced by many in the community. One participant, a transgender woman, shares her story of starting hormone replacement therapy and undergoing gender confirmation surgery, while another participant, a genderqueer person, talks about the difficulties of being misgendered and urged to conform to binary gender norms.

Ultimately, Between The Shades is a moving and thought-provoking film that sheds light on the diverse experiences and struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. It provides a window into the lives of individuals who have been marginalized and often silenced, and serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for equality and acceptance.

Between The Shades is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.4.