Surviving the oppression of racism and homophobia, and childhood trauma, Carl Bean found his voice through song as a gospel singer in the New York Gospel scene, and then through his 1974 album, Universal Love.

But it was his singing of the 1977 disco hit “I Was Born This Way” that would earn him fame; the song was celebrated as the world’s first gay anthem.

Bean eschewed a mainstream music career, instead choosing a vocation in activism. He started the Minority AIDS Project, which served a vital role for underserved populations during the AIDS crisis, and he founded Unity Fellowship Church, the first LGBTQ+ church for people of color.

Using innovative rotoscope animation and featuring appearances by Lady Gaga, Questlove, Billy Porter, and Dionne Warwick, I WAS BORN THIS WAY explores the life and legacy of Bean and his resounding message: “Love is for everyone.”