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
The Film Collaborative (TFC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing programs and services for independent filmmakers. TFC’s federal tax ID number is 32-0295081. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Support a TFC Fiscal Sponsorship Project
Please help support this project with a tax deductible contribution. The “donate” button below will take you to PayPal, but a PayPal account is not required to make a donation. You can check out 2 ways:
- Use your PayPal account
- Check out as a guest by selecting “Donate with a Debit or Credit Card” (no PayPal account is required)
Transaction Fee
Please consider covering the PayPal transaction fee by selecting the “I’d like to add to my donation to help offset the cost of processing” box on the next page. This will ensure your intended full donation amount will be received for the project.
Alternate Donation Payment Methods
If you prefer to donate by check, Zelle, ACH, or wire transfer, please email us for instructions.
Stock Donations
TFC accepts stock donations. By donating stock that has appreciated for more than a year, you are giving 20% more than if you sold the stock and then made a cash donation, since you will not pay capital gains taxes on the donated stock. Learn more here.
Please email us for instructions to donate stock to a fiscally sponsored project.
Donor Advised Fund (DAF) Donations
A donor-advised fund, or DAF, is like a charitable investment account for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations. TFC accepts DAF donations and is on file with most major DAF companies. Provide your DAF TFC’s Tax ID: 32-0295081. If we are already on file with your DAF company, they will process the donation.
If TFC is not already on file with your DAF company, please email us for instructions.
Tax Receipts
In compliance with IRS rules, tax receipts for your charitable gift are issued for the amount The Film Collaborative receives after payment processor fees are deducted. The Film Collaborative emails tax receipts in PDF format within 30 days of your online donation. The “receipt” that is immediately sent to you from PayPal after you donate is just a payment receipt, not the tax receipt.
Matching Donations
Many companies have matching gift programs and can help you double your donation to a project of your choosing. Sometimes these programs will match a donation up to a year after it was originally made! Check with your employer—if they have a matching gift program, they will provide you with instructions.
End of Year Giving
November, December, and January are big giving months each year. Donors top up their annual giving in November and December. January is a new fiscal year, and some donors start their giving for the next fiscal year early. Some donors even give at the end of the year and again in January since these donations fall into different fiscal years.
Donors tend to make their large year-end donation decisions before the holidays start. In 2024, that means before December 20. TFC can accept donations by wire, ACH, and Zelle until 5:00pm Eastern Time on December 31. Online donations by credit or debit card can be made until 11:59pm Pacific Time on December 31.