Film Synopsis
In 2001 a small group of local residents were denied a grant to put on the first LGBTQ Pride Festival in Jersey City.
Undaunted, founding members, Paul Mendoza, Miguel Cardenas and Catherine Hecht, rallied the community, fought, and won. The festival recently turned 20 years old. This is their story. Juxtaposed with news footage and stories that continue to put the LGBTQ community at risk, this documentary exposes the fragility of progress and the work that continues to be done.
About the Director
As a member of the the City's Communications Division Englese served as one of the Digital Content creator/managers for the City's social media platforms the past few years while still managing his role as an Adjunct Professor of Film & Theory Analysis at Brookdale Community College.
For the City, Englese was tasked in 2021 with creating a small retrospective video to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Jersey City Pride, but a small video wasn't quite what he had in mind for the project. Englese envisioned much more, leading to the award-winning documentary, Strength Through Visibility: 20 Years of Pride in Jersey City.
As writer and director of the film, Englese interviewed the founding members of the Jersey City Pride movement and organization, revealed their struggles and triumphs amidst a less-than receptive public and political climate two decades ago compared to today's more receptive environment. All the while Englese underscores that things are far from perfect and full acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community.
Sadly, Englese died suddenly but not before realizing his vision for the film had been widely screened in multiple film festivals across the country and equally well-received locally by those whose courage under fire inspired its creation.