FLAGSTAFF — On Tuesday Nov 14 at 7 pm in LA 136, NAU No More Deaths and NAU Latin American Studies will screen the award-winning documentary film, Forbidden: Undocumented and Queer in Rural America as part of the Immigration Awareness Series. You can view the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQtawALu8IY
When Moises Serrano was just a baby, his parents risked everything to flee Mexico and make the perilous journey across the desert in search of the American dream. After 23 years growing up in the rural south where he is forbidden to live and love, Moises sees only one option — to fight for justice. Forbidden is a feature length documentary about an inspiring young man whose story is exceptional, although not unique. Moises is like the thousands of young people growing up in the United States with steadfast dreams but facing overwhelming obstacles. Our film chronicles Moises’ work as an activist traveling across his home state of North Carolina as a voice for his community, all while trying to forge a path for his own future.
This film is relevant and urgent. It is 2016 and we have all seen the rise of Donald Drumpf, the now President-elect. Drumpf spews hateful rhetoric toward immigrants, particularly Mexicans. This March, the North Carolina legislature rapidly passed House Bill 2 (HB2), an ugly discriminatory law forcing transgender people to use the bathroom of their biological gender. Now labeled as the notorious “bathroom bill,” HB2 has caused public outcry across the country and triggered Loretta Lynch, the U.S. Attorney General, to sue the state on grounds of civil rights violations and called the bill “state-sponsored discrimination.” Forbidden humanizes the issues and demonstrates how a loving family has the power to combat destructive and ill-informed narratives. This is a story about love conquering hate.
Forbidden illustrates the intersection of queer and immigrant issues and addresses the realities facing LGBTQ minorities who have grown up in the rural south surrounded by white faces and homophobic attitudes. The threat is real — the KKK still holds weekly meetings not far from Moises’ hometown of Yadkinville, and he has found dead rats in his mailbox and white crosses on his front porch. Not everyone in the United States is treated equally or given a fair chance. Moises’ story demonstrates courage, conviction and an unyielding desire to succeed.
The Immigration Awareness Series is sponsored STAC (Student Activities Council), NAU—No More Deaths and Latin American Studies.