♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
>> Shangela: selma feels to me
Like one of the most
Frozen-in-time towns that we
Visited so far.
>> Eureka: I agree.
>> Bob: right.
>> And it's interesting to me to
See a town that like clearly
Everyone in america knows about.
>> Everyone knows about doctor
King.
>> Shangela: bloody sunday took
Place here.
>> Bob: in an eighty percent
Black town we still have this
Monument which is massive to
Someone who was a leader of the
Ku klux klan it's still the name
Of the bridge.
♪ ♪
>> Bob: I did selma pride and
What was interesting about it,
The entire event had about
People at it.
Ten of us were the performers.
What they were saying was like,
They don't feel comfortable
Advertising their pride.
In selma, people's queerness is
Really diminished.
>> Shangela: where the gays at.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
Hello?
Oh yeah girl, we're here.
Yes.
Okay, text me.
♪ ♪
>> Shangela: we are in selma
Alabama, a place widely known
For their experiences with the
Civil rights movement.
>> Eureka: being in selma, I
Think especially as a white
Person it's an opportunity for
Me to be educated.
>> Bob: it seems like the world
Has been benefited from selma
But selma's having a hard time
Benefitting from the world.
There's a lot of closed down
Shops, a lot of abandoned
Buildings.
It must be tough to be q*eer
Selma.
>> Shangela: they need to see
g*y people on stage owning their
Power, even for just one night.
Ooh, selma needs drag.
Selma needs drag, honey.
♪ ♪
>> Bob: my freedom as a black
q*eer person in america is
Directly linked to selma.
Directly.
>> We're all going together
Today.
We're gonna walk together.
We've come too far now to turn
Back.
>> Bob: I don't think that selma
Will ever forget what happened
On the edmund pettus bridge and
I don't think they, they should.
>> Your order to dispersed, this
March will not continue.
>> Bob: you know selma's story
Extends beyond bloody sunday
Because the struggles between
People of color and q*eer
People, they're not mutually
Exclusive.
>> Growing up in selma it was
Like a prison, i, I wasn't
Allowed to be me.
Put on the boxers, put on the
Boots, pretend to be this male
Persona that everyone expects
You to be.
Okay, world.
You have to stay inside a lot.
You can't really walk out in the
Day time because here in selma
People just don't have
Acceptance.
So, I'm always hiding.
Selma is a dangerous place for
Trans women because no matter
Where you go they're always
Watching you.
I carry mace in my purse because
It's scary.
They don't want to accept
Anything but what they're used
To, period.
You shouldn't judge people for
Being something that they can't
Help.
I can't help being who I am.
♪ ♪
>> Let me see all that.
>> Bob: hi.
I'm looking for someone named
Akeelah, you all know where she
Was, where should I go?
Right here?
All right, thank you so much,
Thank you.
>> Yes.
Boom, go.
Oh, my god!
>> Bob: damn.
>> Oh my god.
>> Bob: damn.
Uh.
Uh.
Uh.
>> Yes, oh my.
>> Bob: uh, uh, uh.
>> Oh my god.
Oh my god.
I love you.
>> Bob: so nice to see you can
You introduce your friends as
Well?
>> Yes, this is lakeeyah,
>> Hello.
>> Bob: nakeeyah.
>> She has been with me, oh my
God, since the beginning.
I started teaching the dance
Class at the community college
And she was one of my students.
>> Bob: pleasure to meet you.
Pleasure to meet you.
>> This is waneesha.
I've been work on her since
Seventh grade.
>> Middle school years.
>> Seventh grade.
>> Bob: pleasure to meet you
Wannesha.
>> You too, thank you.
>> Bob: my pleasure.
My name is bob, it's nice to
Meet you all.
>> I know, oh my god, in the
Flesh.
[Screams]
>> Bob: oh you've been so sweet
To me.
>> No, I love you, you don't
Understand, team dark skinned.
>> Bob: you know team melanin.
>> Yes.
God.
>> Bob: extra melanin.
>> Hello.
The more the better.
>> Bob: I'm excited to get to
Chat with you.
May I steal miss akeelah for a
Second?
>> I'm all sweaty, I'm sorry.
>> Bob: thank you.
>> And you've been
Choreographing them for years?
>> For years.
>> Bob: I'm also excited to be
Back here in alabama.
I don't know if you know this
But I used to live in alabama so
I'm from the south.
So I want to talk about your
Experience here in the south,
Not just the south, but in
Historic selma.
>> This right here is the only
Time that we, I get to live.
If you want me to be totally
Honest.
Behind closed doors, nobody can
See.
Other than that that's in the
House.
It's been three years, almost
Four years since I trans so you
Know I've been hiding.
>> Bob: yeah.
>> My family I pretty much like,
They're not dealing with me.
>> Bob: that has to hurt.
>> It does.
Don't nobody understand me.
>> Bob: yeah.
>> They think I am a freak of
Nature.
>> Bob: and they say this to
You?
>> Oh yeah.
It's unfair, because I
Contribute, I taught my girls
How to be girls from little
Ones.
>> Bob: yeah.
>> When they first came to me I
Hadn't transitioned yet.
I was the other person that was
Born that I was forced to be and
They all seen the prison that I
Was in from teaching them.
Teach my girls and then I get
Put them out and I step back and
Watch them do what I would have
Done.
>> Bob: when we put you up on
The stage this week I want to
Make sure that all we're doing
Is respecting you, respecting
Your story, respecting your
Experience.
What do you want to be able to
Say?
>> I just want to say that, yes,
I'm trans, but that doesn't make
Me less of a person.
So I'm gonna contribute for the
Ones that's coming after me cuz
I don't want them to have a life
Like I had to have.
>> Bob: we're gonna, we're gonna
Cry, we're gonna kiki, we're
Gonna dance, we're gonna laugh.
>> Let's do this.
>> Bob: we may even argue.
>> Okay.
All right, I'm okay with that.
Family is family.
>> Bob: but we're gonna be
Family.
>> Right.
>> Bob: let's do some work.
>> Let's work.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
>> I am a professional real
Estate broker here in selma.
I took real estate and I made it
My passion.
I don't have to work for
Anybody, I don't clock in, I go
And come as I please and I just
Like nice things.
I want to do these, with these
Shoes.
Best of the best for me, only
The best for me.
Let's go with my favorite.
I'm pretty much out but with my
Lifestyle you have to turn it on
And off.
I have different personas with
Different individuals because
People may not want to deal with
You businesswise because of the
Way that you live your lifestyle
Which is not fair but people
Still have that mentality and
They have that small mindset.
I mean selma's a tough place.
If you don't have tough skin,
You won't survive here.
>> Shangela: one of these is the
Ding dong.
I got to get me one of these.
Hey!
>> Hey.
Come on in.
>> Shangela: nice to meet you,
Shangela.
Wow.
What a beautiful house.
>> It's home.
>> Shangela: it is; do you mind
Taking me on a tour?
>> Okay, so let's go this way.
>> Shangela: okay.
>> Love the kitchen, love the
Closets.
There's a pool table down here.
Do you play?
>> No, it's an ironing board.
>> Shangela: huh.
That's how you get it.
>> Then we're gonna go back out
Here.
>> Shangela: oh, okay.
>> And we've got,
>> Shangela: oh my god.
>> So yeah.
>> Shangela: but i, when I drove
Up I saw cars outside too.
You can only drive one car.
>> One at a time but you might
As well have as many as you can
Have.
>> Shangela: oh come on real
Estate, real estate mogul.
>> Yes.
>> Shangela: come on mogul, fish
Out here I love it.
A range rover, a mercedes, a
Lexus, a truck.
>> Currently I have seven.
>> Shangela: you like silver
Don't you?
>> Silver's my favorite color.
>> Shangela: I love how you
Decorated too.
>> Thank you.
>> Shangela: oh my gosh.
>> Excuse the dust.
>> Shangela: what, where?
Good luck.
This is, you're so fabulous and
Southern, like oh, excuse my
Mess, everything is in place.
>> Of course.
>> Shangela: now, you know you
Gonna have to put a picture in
This picture frame.
What does that symbolize to you
Though?
>> It's a picture of my ex in
There.
>> Shangela: oh, okay, a picture
Of you and the ex and you had to
Take that picture out.
Yeah, negative vibes, bad vibes,
So empty picture frame right
Now.
My dl partner was nothing shy of
A bunch of problems.
The dl community would be people
Who sleep around with the same
Sex without it being known to
The general public.
My last relationship was
Thirteen years long and I
Basically was closeted to the
Whole relationship.
I mean I was a secret; nobody
Knew about me.
So it was very hard.
I gave a hundred and twenty
Percent when I was only getting
Forty percent back.
>> Shangela: and why'd you think
That was fair?
>> It was the mere fact that I
Had invested so much time, so
Much of me into it that I felt
Like I would be losing out if I
Just up and walked away.
And then, like, it was kind of
An ultimatum either you give me
The life that I deserve or I'm
Gone.
>> Shangela: and you said I'm
Out?
>> I ... At the time I had a, a
Nine millimeter pointed in my
Face so, ...
>> Shangela: he, he, wait, hold
On.
The dl boyfriend comes in this
House with you, oh my god.
>> So I was thrown into this
Situation, was like, we're gonna
Have this conversation now
There's nothing you can do about
It, and that's when he pulled
Out the g*n.
And it was like if I can't have
You no one will have you and so
Forth and so forth.
With a g*n in my face being
Shot.
>> Shangela: what?
>> Yeah.
He was actually aiming for my
Head and I threw my arm up like
This and my arm caught the
b*llet.
You will see the mark where the
b*llet went in.
It shattered the ulna and the
Radius and basically me throwing
My arm and catching the b*llet
And my bones catching the b*llet
Is actually what saved my life.
>> Shangela: wow.
>> Because if it had have went
Through muscle it would have
Went straight through my arm and
Hit my head.
>> Shangela: oh my god.
>> So.
Ooh.
Okay.
Yeah.
So, I don't want to talk about
This anymore.
>> Shangela: let me give you
A ... Here.
>> I don't want to talk about
This no more.
>> Shangela: we don't have to.
We don't have to.
We don't have to.
>> But I tell you this.
You are so blessed.
>> That I am.
That I know.
But, I allowed it.
I allowed someone to come into
My personal space and violate
It.
You have a sense of utter
Stupidity for lack of a better
Phrase.
>> Shangela: but you weren't
Stupid, you were in love.
Well, what did tina turner say?
Ooh, my oh my I'm a fool in
Love.
>> I ... And I was.
I was a fool.
>> Shangela: having someone
Who's dl, that's hiding you,
I can only imagine how he has
Dealt with that.
He's created a, a palace for
Himself, I have this lovely home
And the cars and really I'm
Good, I'm me and to you all I
Want to let you know everything
Is fine.
Everything's cool.
It's not cool.
For thirteen years you were the
Secret.
You feel ashamed, that type of
Shame trickles into so many
Different parts of our lives and
It probably made him question is
Being g*y something that I could
Ever be proud of.
♪ ♪
>> Living here in this area is
Really a nice place to live.
This home has been here for over
Seventeen years.
This is like my little comfort
Zone when I get to look at my
Little glamorous, my little
Glamorous stuff.
I love caps, I am a cap freak
And I'm a purse person from time
To time as well.
This is my afro wig, my frizz
Baby.
I love wigs.
I have a really large family and
They mean the world to me, I
Would give my shirt off my back,
I would give up everything that
I have for my family.
I'm a matriarch due to the fact
That I'm being the backbone in
The family.
My family members they tell me
All the time I need to slow it
Down some and just focus on me
But I find it hard to do.
This is ke'aira's t shirt that
We had made.
Ke'aira, my awesome
Granddaughter, was m*rder*d june
Nineteenth, 2020.
Ke'aira's death was devastating.
>> My sister, ke'aira, she was
Spontaneous, she was loving and
She lived in her truth.
>> My sister and I being g*y and
l*sbian made our bond closer.
>> Oh, I need to lay this down.
>> When my grandchildren,
Ke'aira and alkerious were
Growing up I always tried to
Have a safe haven for them being
g*y was fine with me.
Just as being who you are.
Ke'aira was life, she was like a
Smile.
So for me to just sit around and
Just wallow in my sorrow, she
Wouldn't want that.
>> The water is so comforting.
>> It is.
>> I love it.
>> My grandmother, she's always
Been a giver but hasn't taken
Time out to take care of
Herself.
I want to give back to my
Grandmother because deborah's
Love and support is
Unconditional love and support.
>> Eureka: oh my goodness I'm so
Excited to finally meet you.
>> Pleasure.
>> Eureka: oh, I need to meet
Her.
Hello.
>> Hey baby, how are you doing?
>> Eureka: you are all so
Gorgeous.
Oh my god.
I'm sorry to hear about your
Sister.
>> Ke'aira and i, we were
Inseparable.
I called my grandmother right
After I got the news and we both
Were distraught really.
>> Now that's really hard for me
To talk about because you know
It keeps happening time and time
Again, my granddad, my grandmom,
My nephew.
I've had two deaths within my
Family within the last three
Years.
And after ke'aira passed that
Really caught a bite with me.
Seriously.
>> Eureka: you've lost a lot.
>> I've lost a lot but I have to
Keep it moving.
>> She's actually helped me with
How not to struggle and you know
Hold on to that, that weight of
Sorrow.
>> She would want me to carry on
But never ever forget about her
You know just continually keep
That light burning so that's my
Thing, I'm just gonna keep on
Shining her light.
>> Eureka: are you like mama deb
Or something?
What do they call you?
>> Granny g.
>> Eureka: oh granny g.
>> That's what ke'aira named me
Granny g.
>> Eureka: really?
>> Yes.
>> Eureka: oh, h*, h*, h*, I
Love it.
>> It stands for gangster
Granny.
>> Eureka: oh, love it.
You don't got to whisper that
Mama, say it proud.
When you're a person of
Difference or you're q*eer
You're in a vulnerable situation
Here in selma, but deborah was a
Huge support for alkerious and
Ke'aira the two q*eer people in
Their family.
She gives so much love to other
People, this performance is
Gonna give deborah a moment to
Receive the love.
And I just hope that she can
Accept it.
Well, thank you.
>> You're welcome.
>> Eureka: I adore you already,
I can't wait.
>> My faith.
>> Bob: we just drove a block
And we passed two churches, two
Massive churches.
>> And if you go around a corner
It's another one.
That's why I'm taking through
The hood because I like this
Little bridge and everything but
You need to see how we have been
Living.
This is the real look of selma.
Everything is pretty much gone
The only thing here is violence.
Veneesha, one of the dancers,
She came from out of here.
And these girls in here were
Getting pregnant at like
Thirteen, fourteen years old.
And so that's when I started the
Whole dance thing with the
Community and I was pulling
Girls like to get them out of
The hood to have something to do
To have something to live for
Versus what they see every day.
The only thing here is violence.
Like here it's so dangerous,
It's the reason why I hate it so
Much is because like I'm more of
A target than everybody else
Because I'm totally different.
I'm feeling like if someone was
To take me out they literally
Would not work hard to figure
Out who did it.
>> Bob: you don't know how, how
The justice system would handle
You?
>> Because of what I was, they
Will say, oh well it was a demon
Anyway because of what they
Believe.
>> Bob: we don't need to do any
Work on akeelah, we need to do
Work on everyone else.
It's not for fear what akeelah's
Gonna do to, to selma, I don't
Know what she done, she made it
More beautiful, she's added
Dance to it, she's taught the
Children of selma how to be
Women, she's, for me she's the
Biggest reason that we're here.
>> Shangela: oh hi!
>> Oh my gosh hi.
>> Shangela: surprise.
>> Hello.
>> Shangela: how are you miss
Kiki.
Hi, helene.
Very nice to meet you.
>> It's a pleasure, thank you so
Much.
>> Shangela: I don't know if
Joseph has told you or shared
With you but we're not only
Connecting as new friends but
We're also gonna be performing
And putting on a drag show
Together.
>> He did mention it to me and
I'm excited.
>> Shangela: has he told you
Too?
>> Yes.
>> Shangela: well you done told
Everybody.
>> I did.
Well these two.
These two.
>> Shangela: what do you think
About drag?
>> I've always respected it and
Of course I mean look at me.
>> Shangela: what do you think
For joseph?
>> So joseph, I'm excited, I
Can't wait.
Like because it's something I
Would never, I would never be
Able to talk him into doing that
On my own, so I'm excited.
.
>> Shangela: do you know what he
Is?
I can see a little nervous.
>> Oh definitely.
>> Yeah.
>> Cuz you rocking hard in that
Chair.
>> I am cuz you know what?
For one, for one I don't want to
Show them a picture of my mom
But I feel like I would be her
Twin.
>> Yes!
I think so.
I do.
>> Shangela: you think you're
Gonna look like your mother in
Drag?
>> I think so.
When you did that I think, oh my
Gosh you are.
>> Yeah, if she saw it she
Probably would drop dead right
There.
And lord I can't let her see it,
I can't do it, I cannot do it.
Baby, if my mama walked into
That room I would be the first
Thing under a table cloth, under
A table.
>> No you, no you won't.
>> I would.
>> Shangela: why would you
Though?
>> Yeah.
>> Because my sexuality is still
To this day a touchy subject for
My mom.
>> Shangela: but, but look at
All that you've built for
Yourself.
You have this home, you have a
Garage full of cars, so many
Cars you can't even fit no more
Cars, they got to be under a car
Shed over there.
You have great friends.
>> Right.
>> Shangela: you have nothing to
Be ashamed of.
Right now it feels like joseph
Is excluding certain parts of
Himself.
Joseph has some more work to do
To release any type of blame or
Shame.
It's a journey, it's a journey
About getting to trying to find
Out if others are gonna accept
Us but also shaking it off.
We'll see.
>> We'll see.
>> Shangela: who knows?
>> I be kind of, like, scared
Out here too.
Everybody looking at us.
>> They watching.
>> I have never experienced a
Guy genuinely loving me and
Loving me in the daylight until
I met my boyfriend derrick.
We were on grinder, it started
As friends though.
He liked music, I liked music.
And I didn't believe in
Relationships anymore just
Because you know it's all a game
When it comes down to girls like
Me, but he just kept wanting to
See me.
It went from friendship to we
Started having feelings for each
Other.
>> You my baby forever.
>> Yeah.
Once I met akeelah it was
Incredible because it was like I
See you in a struggle, I'm in a
Struggle too, we can talk about
It cuz it was just like we
Couldn't stop calling each
Other, you see how, you see how
I'm smiling right now, I love
Her.
We actually came to a point
Where it was like I can't see
Myself without you.
>> You know it's time for me to
Twist your hair again.
Sometimes I'll be scared cuz I
Don't want nothing bad and he's
Like I don't care, we're going
To do this and if whoever don't
Like it than that's just what it
Is, we're gonna have to handle
It when we get there.
>> Me being down low I know the
Cage that I've been in so it's
Like once I broke that chain I'm
Living my truth and it feels
Great.
>> Shangela: it's like,...
>> Hi.
>> Hi.
>> Bob: this is my baby.
>> Shangela: oh my god, hi.
You already know each other.
>> We grew up right around the
Corner from each other, we've
Been friends since like boogers
In the nose seriously.
>> Shangela: really?
>> Since what, eight, seven,
Nine-ish?
>> We done been through ooh
Lord, thick and thin up and
Down, we,
>> Riding bikes together.
>> Building, making, sailor,
Joseph: the clubhouse, you
Remember?
>> The clubhouse.
>> Yes.
>> Shangela: and did you all
Ever like have to come out to
Each other be like I'm g*y or it
Just was a natural like,...
>> It pretty much just came
Natural.
We talked about it.
>> We talked about it.
>> The dl boys thought bringing
Themselves around us and that's
Pretty much when we realized
What was going on, they knew
What it was so you know.
It was like oh, okay, so.
>> Let's take advantage of it.
>> Shangela: and you all coming
Up together, I'm sure there have
Been moments maybe that you
Didn't always feel like safe and
Accepted around here?
>> We fought.
>> Fought, fought.
>> Fought, fought, like we can
Fight, like seriously so we
Fought.
>> Had to, you have no choice
But to around here so.
Pick something up, hit them
Back.
>> It was kind of like second
Nature, you have to be ready.
>> Shangela: right.
>> I got to a point so it was
Just like whenever I see
Problems I'm getting out of the
Way.
You know what I mean?
>> Shangela: a lot of times
We'll stay out of the way of
Drama and stuff, a lot of g*y
People will just seclude
Themselves.
I'm not going out nowhere cuz it
May turn ugly.
>> Yeah.
>> And that's why like I feel
Like akeelah will tell you when
We hang out, where we hang out
At, my house.
>> Yeah.
>> My house is kind of like the
Congregation spot for all of my
Friends because I know we're
Safe there.
>> Yeah.
>> Bob: what does it mean for
You all to be visible?
>> People choose not to
Patronize me just because of who
I am right now in my business so
We have to show them that
Everybody is different and just
Because we live a totally
Different lifestyle that we're
People too.
>> Shangela: right.
>> She always been the strong
One, I was the one that was
Scared.
>> Cry baby.
>> Shangela: I love that you all
Get to do this together.
>> I know.
>> I know.
>> It's a blessing.
>> This is some of the positive
That we've done together, that
We're gonna do together.
♪ ♪
>> Shangela: let me introduce
You to all the dolls.
On hair we have the lovely
Gloria, on makeup, luscious, and
Fashion and styling, diego.
>> Have you ever done drag
Before?
>> I have not.
>> You, have you ever put on
Makeup?
>> [Whispers]
Of course.
>> Bob: we normally end up doing
Drag names but in my opinion
This is definitely the chance
For the world to be like, I am
Akeelah, my name is akee-lah.
Capital l.
>> Akee-lah.
♪ ♪
>> Eureka: I love a good little
Titty moment girl.
Look at you.
Well you're gonna wear a pair
Too.
>> I want my big anyhow.
>> Eureka: okay, good.
>> If I were younger I'd get
Them done.
>> They feel good.
>> You're making my job very
Easy because you wear giant
Lashes and you're already
Stunning.
All of the eyelid space, all of
The cheeks, love that.
>> Eureka: and we're all wearing
Yellow cuz ke'aira's favorite
Color was yellow.
>> I love it.
>> Shangela: let me see, throw
It a little bit.
Ooh!
I think somebody's feeling it
Girl.
>> Yes.
>> Bob: are you one of those
That,
Okay, I'll keep that in mind
When doing hair.
>> I will be praying.
>> Eureka: how do you feel about
The color?
>> Do you like this color?
>> Eureka: I don't care; I don't
Care about alkerious' opinion I
Care about your opinion.
We have like a redder moment.
Do you want to try it?
>> That's fine.
>> Eureka: do you like it?
>> I like whatever.
>> Eureka: it seems like you're
Very quick to let other people
Make the decision.
I want to know what you are
Comfortable in.
If you want a darker wig than
Mama, we'll get you a darker
Wig.
>> Well can I get a darker wig?
>> Oh, mama!
>> Eureka: see, that's what I
Want to hear mama, is what you
Want.
Mama, this is about you.
So she needs a darker wig.
>> I have chosen to make selma
My home and I love it, I
Wouldn't change it for anything
In the world.
But when you have people judging
You it's kind of hard to be
Yourself, so selma does need
Change.
>> I feel like selma has a lot
Of work to do.
Ke'aira's death, it haunts me
Still.
We accept kinds over gays, it
Doesn't make sense to me.
>> It's so many people here in
Selma that still scared.
We're faced with challenges
Every day; I'm faced with a
Challenge every single day.
Selma don't have acceptance.
I pray that someday it comes.
>> Eureka: center for humanity.
>> Shangela: the city of selma
Played a huge part in our civil
Rights movement.
>> Welcome, thank you for coming
To by the river center for
Humanity.
>> Shangela: hi, I'm dj or
Shangela.
>> Hi.
>> Bob: I really want to be a
Part of something as actively
Giving back to selma.
Hi.
>> Shangela: ooh!
>> Bob: so as a black q*eer
Person to meet the foot soldiers
From bloody sunday it, it just
Feels like a significant moment
In my life.
A lot of people have watched the
Movies about what's happened
Here, read the books about
What's happened here, the
Speeches, and I'm definitely
Interested in hearing your
Experience about what it means
To be a child of selma.
>> Shangela: and we like to know
About the city and the history
Of the cities that we go into so
That we are learning.
>> I don't know another city I
Would rather live in.
But the way she's looking now
Saddens us because she is a
Glorious city and she gave the
World so much.
We all grew up within two blocks
Of each other.
The students had started
Marching.
>> My grandmother would take us
To the meetings.
>> We would just sit there
Waiting for doctor king to come
In the church and we hung on his
Every word.
>> Yes.
And even at thirteen years old I
Felt that this man was talking
To me.
And he said that you could get
Anybody to do anything with
Steady loving confrontation.
That's why I was on that bridge
On march 7th, 1965.
I received thirty-five stitches
On that bridge that day.
This sheriff's deputy hit me.
After this man had hit me and
Pushed me I was able to get up
And run into a cloud of tear
Gas.
I actually fell, the state
Trooper kicked me and he kicked
Me so hard I came up off the
Ground.
And then another sheriff's
Deputy hit me and I guess that's
When I passed out.
I saw all that hatred that
k*lled all those people and
That's gonna continue to k*ll
People.
Amad aubrey, eric garner.
>> Bob: joyce floyd, everyone.
George floyd.
I mean I cry now all the time
Just telling the story be, but
You all don't know what a
Release it is when it's coming
Out.
>> Bob: I think that in the
Black community we have not as a
Community been taught how to
Deal with our trauma and we, and
Then we end up with what feels
Like survivor's remorse because
You didn't get hit on the
Bridge.
>> Bob: knowing what my
Ancestors processed so that I
Could sit here.
>> Breathe baby, breathe.
>> Bob: I'm from alabama,
Mississippi and georgia so I'm
The direct descendant of sl*ves,
My grandma's grandma was a sl*ve
So what they had to process so
That I could sit here,
On this couch.
If you feel, and you feel bad
Because it didn't happen to you.
And I don't even know how to, I
Don't know how to process it.
>> You know what, you're who you
Are because of them.
>> Yes.
>> I don't want you to cry for
Where they've been or where
We've been.
I need you to take that
Strength, celebrate that you're
A survivor.
>> But you all right, baby.
>> You are the product of some
Strong-a*s people.
>> Shangela: you got miss joyce
Talking over there.
>> Celebrate who you are.
And it's starts with not letting
Anybody else define you.
>> That's right.
>> And there's something about
When you know who you are and
You decide to show up in all
Your glory and your grace and
Your greatness it changes
People.
>> Yes.
>> And I'm delighted that you
Guys are here and in my
Experience, the l*sbian and g*y
Community was hidden.
I believe social movements are
Like jigsaw puzzles, everybody
Is a piece, if your piece is
Missing, the picture's not
Complete.
>> Bob: the black struggle is
The q*eer struggle.
Racism, bigotry, h*m*,
Trans-phobia, no one wins.
♪ ♪
>> Shangela: joseph has told me
That he really does not dance
Right, joseph?
>> I don't, not much.
>> Shangela: so we gonna make it
Work okay.
>> We'll make it work, we're
Gonna make it work.
>> Shangela: all right, so now
It's go time, b*tch.
>> Let's go b*tch.
>> Shangela: okay.
All right.
♪ ♪
>> Five, six, seven.
Yeah.
>> Shangela: oh lord, thank you
Jesus she has coordination.
Halleyloo.
>> Work the stage.
♪ ♪
>> Shangela: the green lines are
The stage; you go beyond the
Green lines you're in the dirt.
>> I'm on the floor.
>> Shangela: okay?
All right.
>> Bob: now you got to still lip
Sync while doing that.
>> Yes.
>> Bob: you got to, you got to
Still, -
>> Num, num, num, num.
>> Bob: articulate.
>> Yes, let's try it once more.
Lip sync.
>> Okay.
>> I say we do that once more
And try not to look down so
Much, you know.
>> I'm sorry.
>> Yeah, no don't be.
>> Eureka: mama, you got this
Trust me.
>> I'm gonna have this.
>> Eureka: oh, I know.
>> By wednesday, you guys are
Gonna be like oh, just did it.
>> Eureka: okay.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
>> Jesus.
>> Shangela: this is a
Performance, you are
Representing something big,
Okay.
>> Okay.
>> Shangela: and these people
Out here, they're actually here
To love you.
Who's coming?
>> Several other friends and
Family.
I don't know.
>> Shangela: and family?
>> I don't know who's coming.
>> Shangela: who'd you invite.
>> [Whispers]
My mother.
>> Shangela: you did?
>> Yes.
>> Shangela: tell me.
Tell me.
We had this whole conversation
He was so nervous about telling
His mother.
How did you tell her?
What'd you say?
>> I just said it's a drag show
And I want you to come and she
Was like okay, well,
>> Does she know you're gonna be
In drag?
>> Shangela: she does.
>> Well if she, she would assume
If I'm there.
>> Shangela: you didn't tell
Her?
>> You didn't tell her, yeah.
>> I said it was a drag show.
>> Shangela: you oh, well, you
Know what if she comes she's in
For a wonderful surprise.
>> She told me she didn't want a
Surprise but she's gonna get
One.
>> Shangela: hey.
Hah, shadda badda, all right.
I believe in you b*tch.
>> So, where we going is the
Knights in orchids.
Now I was probably I think like
A year in maybe and I come
Across some coming downtown you
Know just the regular day in
Selma and I see the rainbow
Flag, I'm like rainbow.
So I walk in and I see que and
That is like the first trans man
I have ever saw.
>> Keelah, look at you, I love
It.
>> I miss you so much.
Oh, my goodness.
>> I remember starting together.
>> Yes.
>> Oh my goodness.
>> When this was a dream.
>> A dream.
>> We recently became the
State's only trans led std, sci
Clinic.
We got to this point by helping
Our people.
Like we literally found each
Other in selma of all places.
>> In selma, I couldn't believe
It.
>> I needed to be visible here
Because I didn't have a role
Model growing up, um, there were
No trans men in selma when I was
Growing up so I owed it to my
City and to my people here to be
Visible.
My defining moment was standing
On the bridge and thinking the
Entire civil rights movement
Happened here but to understand
This is the second leg of the
Civil rights movement so if you
See that flag and you're from
The community you know that it's
A safe haven, you know what it
Is.
>> Bob: I don't know if I told
You all that we're, this, this
Show we're doing is gonna be on
Take a right down by the um,
>> The art, art gallery.
>> Bob: yes.
>> Look at you.
I knew it.
>> Bob: if you all could make
It.
>> You living out loud.
>> Bob: living out loud you are
Offering safety to someone else.
>> Cuz I don't want nobody to go
Through what I went through.
>> I'm so tired of just being
Scared like, enough is enough.
It's time to do this so whoever
Gonna do something to me,
They'll have to go through me.
I got you, I got, you need me to
Be there?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
I got you.
♪ ♪
>> Eureka: ooh, hey deborah.
How are you, gorgeous?
>> Shangela: oooh!
b*tch, you are dusted.
♪ ♪
>> I feel like an illusion.
>> Eureka: that's good though,
You look gorgeous.
>> I have not slept, I slept but
You know I was dancing in my
I'm in love.
>> Eureka: are you?
Your eyes are so stunning.
You are gonna be a barbie doll.
♪ ♪
>> Shangela: yes, patty, you all
That.
>> Yeah, I can jump.
But I can jump in the boots.
>> Shangela: no you can't b*tch.
>> Selma is not gonna be ready
For us, honey.
>> Baby no.
>> They gonna remember this for
The rest of their life.
>> Baby, I know.
Ooh, hoo.
>> Bob: I want to give akeelah
An opportunity to talk about
What it feels like to be akeelah
In this town.
>> How are you feeling?
>> Scared.
>> Bob: but I have not been able
To stop thinking about what it
Means to come here and expose
Akeelah to this town.
But it's also what she wants.
She wants to be visible.
>> I'm nervous, I'm nervous, I'm
About to panic.
>> Shangela: sit down.
Big breath in.
Through the nose.
The biggest thing that joseph is
Up against is having to say to
The whole world, especially his
World, that "I'm proud to be
g*y."
You are blessed to be here; this
Is about celebrating you being
Here.
You have survived near-death
Experiences, so trust me, one
Drag show ain't taking you down.
>> Okay.
>> Shangela: all right, you are
A star and tonight you are my
Star.
>> Okay.
>> Shangela: joseph's mom in in
The audience and she's gonna see
Her baby step out on that stage.
We got to show them that there
Are people here in selma that
Are thriving and that are g*y,
Let's make a better tomorrow
That's why we're here.
>> Eureka: hello, selma,
Alabama.
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
>> Bob: oh, oh, oh, oh, I'm
Sorry, y'all, I'm sorry.
Can we start that over, back
Over, my wig, I'm sorry this is
Embarrassing, my wig fell off,
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
>> Bob: I would like you all to
Give a big round of applause for
My real life niece, miss nevaeh.
[Cheers and applause]
For those of you who don't know
My name is bob the drag queen,
How you all doing tonight.
[Cheers and applause]
Listen we are in selma, alabama;
This is the cornerstone of civil
Rights.
Civil rights are human rights,
Am I right?
Didn't he say a threat to
Justice anywhere is a threat to
Justice everywhere?
>> We both shine difference; the
q*eer community they live from a
Distance.
I'm looking forward to this
Because I think this is going to
Be an uplift and ke'aira's gonna
Be right here side me when I do
It.
>> Shangela: give it up for
Family eureka.
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
>> Eureka: I am so proud of you
All, you have no idea.
It was quite a roller coaster.
It's been a very beautiful story
And ke'aira is actually her
Granddaughter and his sister
That was tragically m*rder*d so
This is actually dedicated to
Her and I just want to give them
A huge round of applause to
Ke'aira.
If there was anything that you
Could say to ke'aira what would
You say today?
>> I still love you and miss you
So much, you will be missed but
You will be forever in our
Hearts.
[Applause]
>> Eureka: yes, you all give it
Up for these two beautiful souls
One more time for me.
>> These shoes are k*lling me.
>> I still had some
Reservations.
How is this going to affect me
Professionally?
What people were gonna think,
What people are gonna say.
If I don't sit down, I'm gonna
Fall.
>> Bob: this local has been
Working with miss shangela
Laquifa wadley all week long.
You may know them as joseph, but
You better say hello to miss
Shantel rose.
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
>> Shangela: I hear that in
Addition to your friends who we
Love already, halleyloo, but I
Hear you have a very special
Guest that's here today.
Who is that?
>> That is my mom.
>> Shangela: oh, where's mama?
Where's mama?
>> Right there.
>> Shangela: stand up, mama.
Come here, mama.
Come here, beautiful.
Come here, mama.
Ooh, look at mama.
>> Oh, my god, I'm about to cry.
I am so happy that you're here.
I am so elated that you're here.
>> I'm happy to be here.
I'm happy to be here.
I'm so proud of you.
You did good.
>> Thank you.
>> Shangela: oh, this is so, now
Mama you know I'm in the family
Now right?
Hey.
>> I pray it's gonna be okay cuz
You know everybody gonna be
There.
And I'm nervous cuz I know
There's gonna be a lot of people
Just wanting to see what's going
On and then up comes oh my god,
That's that thing that I seen on
Town but we deserve a chance
Just like everybody else.
>> How are you feeling?
>> Okay, I'm ready.
I'm ready, yeah.
I'm scared but I'm still gonna
Do it.
>> You got this.
>> Eureka: good luck, baby.
>> Thank you so much.
[Cheers and applause]
Is ago musical
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
>> I am a child of selma, and I
Deserve happiness just like you.
I've been called a demon, I've
Been called a monster, I've been
Called everything except the
Child of god, but I'm none of
That.
Say my name.
I am akeelah.
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
[Cheers and applause]
>> Bob: take that spotlight.
Everyone who comes in contact
With this beautiful woman knows
Her life, her love, how much she
Gives and gives and gives and
Gives.
>> Thank y'all.
My boyfriend, you have taught me
So much love in the dark and in
The daylight.
No matter what, I love you so
Much.
>> Bob: I love you, babe.
>> I love you, mama.
Uh, uh stop, wait.
Let me tell y'all something.
She will turn you into this.
Thank you, mama.
[Cheers and applause]
>> Bob: this week would not have
Been possible without some
Really phenomenal people that
I'm gonna ask if they could just
Stand up for just a moment so
That we can acknowledge them now
Can we please have tko, the
Knights in orchids please stand
Up wave at them please.
[Cheers and applause]
Miss afriye please, please stand
Up miss afriye.
Truly a brilliant orator and
Just keeper of culture right
Here and please give your hands
For one of the original foot
Soldiers, miss joanne right
Here, you all.
[Cheers and applause]
Yes, yeah, that's, that's the
Stand, that's a stand up.
That's a stand up.
[Cheers and applause]
I don't think that the q*eer
Struggle and the black struggle
Are exclusive in any regard.
Especially for me, especially
For akeelah.
For me, they're the same,
Especially for me, especially
For akeelah.
Especially for joseph.
We are all engaging in the black
Struggle and the q*eer struggle.
>> I love you good.
>> You can't kiss me cuz I got
Glitter.
>> Yeah, mwah.
>> Mwah.
Thank you, babe.
>> I love you.
>> I love you, too.
>> I'm so happy you're here, you
Just don't know how much this
Means to me.
That you support me.
Oh, my god.
>> Shangela: love you.
Well all right, group, family
Hug.
Family hug.
>> It was unbelievable for
Selma, selma brought me to so
Many tears cuz I could not
Believe what I was witnessing.
Absolutely amazing.
[Crying]
When I decided to make my name
Akeelah never in a million years
Did I think that I would see
That like that.
Never in a million years.
>> Made our dreams come true,
You guys have made our dreams
Come true.
Trust me.
>> Bob: imagine being in a town
And seeing no reflection of
Yourself nowhere.
Not a single person.
What impact does that have on a
Community.
Sometimes you need to see people
Loving someone so you feel like
It's okay for you to love them
Too.
For that reason, the q*eer
Community here has a beacon of
Hope in selma.
Oh, oh lord.
Oh.
Oh, lord, please.
Oh, my wig, oh, my lord.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
Welcome to our World! Where we serve you cookies to ensure you get the best viewing experience on our site.
Did you know that you can remove censorship board-wide, use our advanced search functions, be notified when new content is posted, join our memberships, set episodes to show in any order you want & more if you are logged into your account?
Register or sign in here: ucp.php?mode=register
Did you know that you can remove censorship board-wide, use our advanced search functions, be notified when new content is posted, join our memberships, set episodes to show in any order you want & more if you are logged into your account?
Register or sign in here: ucp.php?mode=register
02x04 - Selma, Alabama
Watch/Buy Amazon
Featuring former Drag Race contestants, documenting the drag queens as they travel across the United States to recruit small-town residents to participate in one-night-only drag shows.
Featuring former Drag Race contestants, documenting the drag queens as they travel across the United States to recruit small-town residents to participate in one-night-only drag shows.