Documentary on Drag & LGBTQ rights in the south

We're thrilled to announce a powerful short documentary that dives deep into the heart of the LGBTQ+ struggle and community in the Deep South. Our film, "Unveiling Majesty," follows Majesty Divine, a drag queen activist whose story ignited a national conversation. Your support will help us share this inspiring story—celebrating the resilience, courage, and vibrant history of Alabama's LGBTQ+ community. We can’t do it without you!

The Story

The film follows Majesty Divine, a beloved drag queen who went viral after a drag storytime ended up on the far right Libs of TikTok page. She faced death threats and left her 30-year career in teaching out of fear, so she turned her attention to leading protests against anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in the Alabama state house. With over four hundred bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community currently under review nationwide, Majesty's story serves as a poignant case study of the broader challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in America. The documentary delves into the rich queer history of Alabama, unearthing a legacy of resilience and collective struggle against entrenched biases that have historically marginalized this community. A New York Times article spotlighting Majesty Divine is even titled, "Want to Understand LGBTQ Life in America? Go to Alabama." Our documentary will take you there.

Beyond challenges, the film captures the unwavering spirit of the LGBTQ+ community. Through Majesty's story, we not only delve into the impact of state bills but also the importance of preserving the full history of queer life in Alabama. This film is a critical part of ongoing efforts to document and preserve the history of the LGBTQ+ community in Alabama, a history that librarians and historians say has been intentionally erased and hidden. We are working with Invisible Histories, a regional non-profit focused on the preservation, access, and research of the diverse Queer and Trans history of the American South, to paint a complete picture of LGBTQ+ life in Alabama. Accomplished historians and archivists like Invisible Histories' Joshua Burford, University of Alabama's Dr. Rob Riter, Morna Gerard with Georgia State University and Dr. Jerry Watkins, will lead the film team in research through archival footage and interviews.

In the intimate documentary, you'll sit with Majesty, share a meal with iconic Alabama drag queens, watch stunning performances and learn from experts about how this moment fits in within the greater history of Alabama, the South and the United States. Together, we’ll celebrate an extraordinary community built on love, celebration, and the relentless pursuit of equality.

Your contributions will directly support our filmmaking process, including:

1. Production expenses: Funding the necessary equipment, crew, and logistics to capture the intimate moments and performances that make this documentary special.

2. Post-production and editing: Enabling us to refine and shape the narrative, ensuring that the film conveys the depth and complexity of Majesty's story and the wider LGBTQ+ community in Alabama.

3. Distribution and outreach: Assisting us in sharing the documentary with audiences near and far, organizing screenings, and engaging in outreach activities to promote dialogue and understanding.

Your contribution of any size will play a crucial role in bringing this important story to the screen and amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals in Alabama. If you're unable to contribute financially, please post this GoFundMe on your social media and share it with your network. Thank you so much for your support!

About the team

The Unveiling Majesty team is a collection of filmmakers passionate about telling stories that shine a unique light on the South, by challenging stereotypes and contextualizing the history of the complex region.

Megan Plotka serves as the director and producer, bringing her expertise as a broadcast journalist from Huntsville and her experience as a co-director of the acclaimed documentary "Cans Can't Stand" (co-directed with Matt Nadel, published by The New Yorker), follows a group of Black trans women in New Orleans fighting to repeal Louisiana’s unjust Crime Against Nature by Solicitation (CANS) law. CANS Can’t Stand premiered at the Cannes Film Festival Emerging Filmmaker Showcase and has screened at Outfest (Audience Award), NewFest (Audience Award), Provincetown (Special Jury Prize), and Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival.

Matt Nadel, a seasoned producer and director hailing from Florida, acts as the consulting producer, he has been supported by the Catapult Film Fund, Monroe Fellowship from the Tulane University Center for the Gulf South, and Solomon Fellowship in LGBT Studies from Yale, Matt's work has screened at more than a dozen film festivals and has been featured on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

Majesty Divine herself serves as the executive producer, ensuring that her story is authentically portrayed. She’s a dynamic and engaging artist and storyteller in several ways. She was a math teacher for 20 years, an author, a writer for LGBTQ+ publications and of course, a renowned drag performer. She lends her insight and skills to the executive producer position for her own story.