Subnavigation

back to all projects
Donate to You Must Be Proud
Donate to this project
youmustbeproud_still
watch video
    You Must Be Proud
    ABOUT THE PROJECT

    LOGLINE
    At a time when homophobia is on the rise, how do LGBTQ+ people find self-love?

    SYNOPSIS
    To grow up LGBTQ+ in the United States, one quickly learns what hate looks and feels like. Messages of being less-than and different are often communicated in ways both subtle and overt, appearing in pop culture, religion, politics—even the homes we grow up in. To grow up LGBTQ+ is often a lesson in how to hide.

    However, our authentic selves yearn for recognition. Our authentic selves yearn for what many call Pride.

    YOU MUST BE PROUD is a feature length documentary that tells the story of how LGBTQ+ people find self-acceptance and self-love at a time when homophobia and transphobia are on the rise. For many communities, Pride started as a protest against inequality and a demanding of rights. More recently, Pride has become a celebration of our personal and collective gains to live as our authentic selves, often acting as the gateway into the LGBTQ+ community, and the start of many people’s personal journey to self-love.

    Over the course of the 2024 Pride season, the documentary will follow the organizers of Pride events in three locations: New York, NY, Provincetown, MA, and Montgomery, AL. More importantly, we’ll get to know the individuals planning these events, their backstories, challenges, heartaches, and triumphs, and witness how their work in advocacy is changing lives.

    PROJECT TYPE Documentary Feature

    DIRECTOR Matthew Bardugone
    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Ayse Reyering

    WEBSITE youmustbeproud.com

    Donate to You Must Be Proud

    🎬 Support independent film through The Film Collaborative

    The Film Collaborative (TFC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting independent filmmakers.

    Federal Tax ID: 32-0295081

    Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

    💳 Ways to Give
    • Online:
      Click the Donate button above. You can:
      • Use your PayPal account, or
      • Check out as a guest with your debit/credit card — no PayPal account required.
    • ACH or Wire
      Email us for instructions.
    • Check
      Checks are accepted, but for time and security reasons, electronic donations are preferred when possible.
      Check donation instructions are here.
    • Stock
      Donating appreciated stock can increase your impact by up to 20%.
      Learn more about advantages of stock donations here.
      Email us for instructions.
    • Donor-Advised Funds (DAF):
      Instructions for donating from a DAF are here.
    📈 Maximize Your Gift
    • Many employers offer matching gifts, doubling or even tripling your donation. Some match contributions up to a year after they’re made.
    • When donating via PayPal, consider covering the small processing fee to make the most of your gift toward the project.
    📄 Tax Receipts
    • In compliance with IRS rules, tax receipts are issued for the amount TFC receives after payment processor fees are deducted.
    • PDF tax receipts are emailed within 30 days of your online donation.
    • The “receipt” immediately sent by PayPal is only a payment confirmation — it is not your tax receipt.
    📅 Important Year-End Giving Dates for 2025
    • Dec 19: Most large gifts are decided by the Friday before the holidays.
    • Dec 31, 4:59 PM PT: Cutoff for wire, ACH, and Zelle gifts to be received in TFC’s account.
    • Dec 31: Postmark deadline for check donations.
    • Dec 31, 11:59 PM PT: Cutoff for online credit/debit gifts.

    Thank you for helping bring powerful independent films to life.

    ID: 590