Out can exclusively announce that actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family, Take Me Out) and director David France (How to Survive a Plague, Welcome to Chechnya) are releasing a new short film about the recent drag bans in the U.S.
The short, titled It's Okay, kindly addresses the earsplitting hate against LGBTQ+ people pushed in recent years by conservative movements. Not only did this dangerous rhetoric succeed in creating drag bans, but it was also terribly dangerous and violent for trans people.
"What a dream it has been to reunite with David France on this beautiful short film," Ferguson wrote in a statement. "I am thrilled for it to finally be out in the world," Ferguson wrote in a statement. "For me, It's Okay is the perfect embodiment of the purity of storytelling and freedom of self-expression."
It's Okay is the result of a partnership between MSNBC Films and The New Yorker Documentary. It also features an actual drag artist, Shelita Bonet Hoyle, as its main character — and we love to see it!
MSNBC FilmsThe synopsis for It's Okay reads:
"The film captures the emotions and reactions of two young brothers and their mother in North Carolina as they get ready to attend and observe their first Drag Story Hour, a national literary program for kids to learn about diversity in their communities."
A statement from director David France reads:
"I'm delighted that MSNBC and The New Yorker are bringing this simple but profound story to audiences. There are so many lessons to learn from the family featured in our film, but none is more fundamental than the importance of keeping an open mind."
We couldn't be more excited for the world to watch this wonderful project!
It's Okay premieres Sunday, August 11 on MSNBC and The New Yorker's digital platforms.
