“Pariah” Star, Director are American for Marriage Equality

The Human Rights Campaign has released a web ad featuring Kim Wayans and Dee Rees – star and director, respectively – of the highly-anticipated feature film, “Pariah,” for its Americans for Marriage Equality campaign.  In the ad, both women speak out in favor of gay and lesbian couples getting married nationwide, with Rees explaining, “Lesbian and gay couples’ stories are just as real, and just as romantic, and deserve to be told.”

“Pariah brilliantly depicts the struggle that many LGBT people – including African-Americans – face in coming out and living openly,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese.  “Marriage discrimination is one of the many factors that perpetuates the notion that LGBT people are somehow less-than, and gives cause to those who continue to discriminate.  I am so grateful to Dee Rees and Kim Wayans for this outstanding film, and for their participation in our campaign.”

“Pariah” tells the story of Alike, an African-American teenager who comes out as lesbian and the struggles she endures in her family and her community.

This is the eighth video released by HRC for the Americans campaign.  Past videos feature Scott Fujita, Josh Charles, Katori Hall, John Leguizamo, Julian Bond, Mo’Nique, and Cory Booker.

About 53% of the American public supports marriage for same-sex couples, according to a number of nonpartisan polls, including Gallup, CNN, and Washington Post/ABC News.