King Kellz, the hottest performer at City of Doms, New York’s premier stud/AG (Aggressives) strip club, has the full package: a deep, luxurious voice; a masculine swagger; and a long, wavy weave that she proudly installs herself. Her fellow AGs hate on her for wearing a weave, but Kellz refuses to accept that there is only one way to be masculine, remarking, “It’s not what you wear. It’s your demeanor and how your carry yourself…. Your baggy clothes don’t determine your character.”

The Same Difference is a compelling documentary that broadens the definition of what it means to be part of the African American lesbian community. Self-identified studs—and the women who love them—discuss hypocrisy in terms of gender roles, performative expectations, and the silent disciplining that occurs between community members. This film features many queer celebrities, including actress Felicia “Snoop” Pearson from the critically acclaimed HBO drama The Wire, AzMarie Livingston from America’s Next Top Model and FOX’s hit series Empire, Dee Pimpin from MTV’s Catfish, Crissle West from the popular podcast The Read, and Lea DeLaria from Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black. From stud-on-stud relationships, to coming out as bisexual, and from AGs who decide to get pregnant, to studs dressing femme for pay, director Nneka Onuroah’s engaging documentary ensures that no topic is left untouched.

— Taylor Hodges

AT&T Audience Award Text Voting Code: D321

PRECEDED BY:

Heft

DIR Alexandria Wright 2014 USA 10 min Set in the East Bay, Heft is about the daily encounters between a large queer black woman and the suitors and scoundrels who vie for her attention.

Co-presented by:

NIA Collective