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Current events may have you thinking about the black lgbt experience in church or black lgbt spirituality in general.

The good folks over at Fire & Ink have “compiled a list of literature by GLBTQ people of African descent that explores the complex issues being talked about in recent days.” Check it out.

You can also visit our SpiritSpace to see what other Kuma2.net readers have shared with us through the years.

What It’s About
After literally forcing a lover in the closet to avoid a confrontation with her mother, Felicia decides that it may finally be time (for the sake of her relationship and sanity) to come out. She convinces her other closeted friends that they should all come out together–and they make a pact to do so within 30 days. As each woman contemplates coming out, she will have to face her own separate fears, challenges, and consequences.

Why It’s Good
Family is not a preachy, after-school special type of movie where coming out magically saves the day. The characters are well-rounded and their stories are engrossing. We have:

• Kemp–a pro-basketball player who has to consider “her image”
• Felicia–an actress who wonders if Hollywood and her Jamaican parents can handle her truth
• Tonya–who finds herself in crisis mode when her sister unexpectedly shows up on her doorstep
• Melanie–a woman fighting for the right to see her daughter
• Monifah–salon owner who, among other things, has to deal with homophobic clients
• Sabrina–a doctor who is worried that accepting her sexuality will be hazardous to her spiritual health.

Though Family deals with serious issues, it is full of funny moments. The writing, bolstered by the comic timing of the actresses, is on point. When the credits roll, you will be left wanting more but in a good way. Six months later, what will Felicia and crew be up to?

The multi-talented Faith Trimel directed the film, wrote the screenplay and was one of the principle cast members. With so many duties you would think that she would have faltered somewhere along the way, but she didn’t. We are looking forward to seeing what she does next.

The Verdict
Equal parts drama and comedy, Faith Trimel’s Family is a great movie.
Buy It!