WONDERFULLY MADE, 94min., USA, Documentary
Directed by Yuval David
“Wonderfully Made – LGBTQ+R(eligion)” is the extraordinarily moving feature-length documentary striking at the root of anti-LGBTQ attitudes by exploring the challenges and aspirations of LGBTQ+ Catholics due to the institutional Church’s formal rejection of their identities. The film focuses on the Catholic Church because it is one of the largest religious organizations and its anti-LGBTQ+ stance is well-known and growing more hardline in many parts of the world. The film criticizes Church teaching, but it is respectful of those of faith, focusing on inclusion and representation for all people. It features interviews with leading advocates of LGBTQ+ Catholics, including a pioneering nun, a prominent priest and spokesperson on LGBTQ matters, an openly gay priest, a former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, among other influential organizational leaders and activists.

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Director Statement
The film is about the challenges and aspirations of LGBTQ+ Catholics. We made it in part to help effectuate change in church teaching, which says that LGBTQ people are “objectively disordered.”

The film covers several very recent developments suggesting that change is in the air. Many of the interviewees in the film have received messages from Pope Francis this year, commending them for their work with LGBTQ people. The Church is in the middle of a two year process of reflection and examination. Thousands of churches around the world are making clear their view that the church hierarchies negative attitudes and teachings about LGBTQ people must change.

Lawmakers across the country continue to press anti-LGBTQ+ policies that show a shocking lack of understanding and empathy for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Catholic Church has pursued a harsh, anti-LGBTQ+ agenda as well that has been reflected in the secular legislation and policies of lawmakers.

Where does all this harshness come from? What is the root of it all? The answer is in Catholic Church teaching, which is that homosexuality is “objectively disordered.”
• The Church disapproves of love, partnership and marriage between same sex couples as sinful. It has said that acting on “same sex attraction” is not “morally acceptable
• The heartlessness of these teachings is underscored by the fact that they were written in 1986 – during the depths of the AIDS crisis, when 24,000 Americans had died of this awful disease.
These teachings are contrary to science, common sense and secular policy. It is also profoundly hypocritical, because it flies in the face of other church teaching that all people – including LGBTQ+ people -- deserve respect, compassion and dignity.

Thank you for your interest and consideration. I am looking forward to connecting and having you view the film!