I Was Born This Way is a powerful documentary showcasing Archbishop Carl Bean’s exceptional life and legacy. Carl Bean was a gospel singer, an AIDS activist, and the founder of the Unity Fellowship Church Movement. The documentary highlights Bean’s 1977 Motown single “I Was Born This Way,” which is widely recognized as the first openly gay anthem in popular music.

Through interviews with Carl Bean himself, as well as appearances from well-known celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Billy Porter, Dionne Warwick, and Questlove, the film lays out three significant storylines: Bean’s journey from childhood trauma to spiritual leadership, the cultural impact of his Motown single, and Billy Porter’s pursuit in recovering the original studio master of “I Was Born This Way” (as well as the lost and forgotten B-side of the track).

Utilizing a combination of rotoscope animation and archival footage, the documentary portrays the life of a man who combated marginalization with courage and conviction; a Black, gay, faith-driven visionary who forever altered music, ministry, and activism. I Was Born This Way is simultaneously a tribute to Bean’s enduring message of love and a reminder of the power of authenticity in the face of adversity.