‘I Was Born This Way’ Documentary Tells Archbishop Carl Bean’s Story from Childhood to Billboard Hit | Trailer 

The documentary I Was Born This Way, follows the little known story of Archbishop Carl Bean’s life from turbulent childhood growing up Black and queer, through his surprising music career.

Directed by Daniel Junge and Sam Pollard, the film features interviews with Lady Gaga, Dionne Warwick, Rep. Maxine Waters, along with Questlove and Billy Porter.

I Was Born This Way premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, then went on to screen at other festivals including Out on Film Festival, and AFI Fest. It opens in theaters starting on October 30th at Laemmle North Hollywood with national cities to follow.

Six years in the making, I Was Born This Way reveals the remarkable life of Archbishop Bean—from his turbulent childhood growing up Black and queer, to his unexpected success with the 1977 Billboard Top 10 disco hit and gay anthem “I Was Born This Way.” The film follows his journey from music to ministry, chronicling his founding of the Minority AIDS Project and the Unity Fellowship Church Movement, the world’s first LGBTQ+ church for people of color.

Through archival footage, interviews, and rare recordings, the film traces how Bean’s original anthem inspired Lady Gaga’s global hit “Born This Way,” underscoring his enduring influence on music, faith, and activism.

Using rotoscope animation, a technique that utilizes live-action footage as a guide for the animation process, it helped bring to life Bean’s story, celebrating the life and legacy of an influential figure in the LGBTQ+ community.

Alise Chaffins, in a review about the film, “I Was Born This Way shows that these weren’t simply lyrics that Archbishop Carl Bean sang, but the way that he lived his life. Now it’s up to us to follow in his footsteps and do the same.”

Watch the official trailer for I Was Born This Way, above.