After waiting with anticipation, GLAAD Media Award Winning director, Sekiya Dorsett’s, latest film Caribbean Queen gives a sneak peek at the Brooklyn Pride Inc. Festival on June 7th, 2024 at 7:30pm. In partnership with the Caribbean Equality Project, Caribbean Queen tells the story of Q, a young Caribbean boy who dreams of becoming Queen of the West Indian Day Carnival Parade. Despite facing prejudice from his family and community, Q’s unwavering determination, supported by his best friend Joe, propels him toward his dream.
The screening will be hosted by Karl Sully of SoKarl&Erry, a platform where him and his partner, tell too often untold stories, and demystify black “queer-ribbean” living. Karl, a Brazilian native of Haitian descent, is thrilled to join in to increase visibility on the black and queer, Caribbean experience in the hopes of changing minds and opening hearts.
From what started as a lunch conversation between Dorsett and cinematographer, Tiffany Amour-Tejada, has now spiraled into a film full of intention and passion that was created and felt by every hand it touched. Karl O’Brian Williams, both writer and stars as Uncle Pete in Caribbean Queen, wanted this film to be felt in the ways he did when he grew up. “Q’s journey deeply resonates with me. Growing up in a strict Caribbean household, advocating for oneself and taking risks was never easy. It underscores the importance of claiming our space and standing up for ourselves”.
From the production to the casting, the film embodies the diversity found within Caribbean culture, with a team with backgrounds spanning Jamaica, Panama, the Bahamas, and Guyana. And in telling this story, Caribbean Queen acts as an “I’m here moment” for the Caribbean community of New York.
“Here we were: three Caribbeans coming together to bring together an idea about ourselves,” said Dorsett. “I was beyond grateful to lead the process. I resonate with Q because growing up I wanted to be out and proud. I wanted to be bold. I wrote all of that into the character. We wanted it to create a character that was clear about the obstacles and showed how they were able to overcome. “
The Caribbean community has called the New York area home since the late 1800s. And starting in 1998, LGBTQIA+ Caribbean individuals have been a part of the NYC Pride parade year after year. But their presence at the West Indian American Day Carnival was limited. However, in 2023 the Caribbean Equality Project organized the Queer Caribbean Liberation Collective for the 2023 West Indian Day Parade and this moment was able to feature over 150 participants who proudly highlighted Caribbean LGBTQ+ representation and celebrated their rich culture. They also called for action, accountability, and justice for Josiah “Jonty” Robinson, an out singer-songwriter who lost his life in Grenada to violence stemming from hate on June 18, 2023. And to further honor him, Caribbean Queen will feature Jonty’s song, “The Crowd,” produced by M2 Productions, in the film.
“The mere concept of the project was thrilling,” said Mohamed Q. Amin, Executive Producer and Executive Director of the non-profit Caribbean Equality Project. He continued, “I joined the journey to bring it to fruition to amplify the nuance of what it means to be Caribbean and the isolation and rejection many Caribbean LGBTQ+ people still experience in our homeland and the diaspora, even in New York City. Annually, so many Caribbean LGBTQ+ immigrants participate in the annual West Indian Day Parade, but we are often forced to choose which identity to celebrate. Caribbean Queen resonates with me as a Queer Indo-Caribbean immigrant, and it poignantly crystalized that our intersectional identities should be seen, honored, and celebrated on the carnival road, which has always been a place of resistance.”
By highlighting diverse Caribbean voices and stories, “Caribbean Queen” bridges cultural divides, challenges stereotypes, and fosters understanding and empathy. This powerful educational and advocacy tool breaks down community barriers and promotes unity among all Caribbean individuals.
Open to all, join in on celebrating Caribbean heritage and LGBTQIA+ pride on June 7th which features a panel, performance and film screening.