The Same Difference 2015
Distributed by Women Make Movies, 115 W. 29th Street, Suite 1200,New York, NY, 10001; 212-925-0606
Produced by Nneka Onuorah
Directed by Nneka Onuorah
DVD, color, 78 min.
Middle School - General Adult
Gender, Homosexuality, Discrimination
Date Entered: 05/29/2018
Reviewed by LaRoi Lawton, Library & Learning Resources Department, Bronx Community College of the City University of New YorkThe Same Difference is a hard and real look at how lesbians discriminate against other lesbians based on gender roles. Many of the young lesbians depicted in this documentary are African American. The language is raw so depending upon your audience, prepare. What is telling about this documentary is that discrimination knows no boundaries even in the gay and lesbian community.
“Why do some members of the lesbian community police, regulate and discriminate against one another.” This is the question that film director Onuorah explores in The Same Difference. When you look at the white lesbian community, the biases that some lesbians of color carry, ‘studs, aggressive fems (AGs), butch and fems, is not there to a large degree.
This film illustrates the different lesbian roles that are in essence part of the discriminatory practices some lesbians pour on each other. This is an eye opener because besides dealing with racial discrimination on a daily basis because of color, dress codes or gender orientation, these women have to deal with another level of discrimination from their own community, be it lesbian, gay or straight. Filmed in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., The Same Difference shows that it is not differences that divide communities and groups; it is the inability for whatever reason(s), to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.