#LGBTQ: Jesse Tyler Ferguson & Jeffrey Schwarz to Produce & Direct, “Stonewall Forever”

Exec Producer, Jesse Tyler Ferguson & Producer/director Jeffrey Schwarz

Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson and husband Justin Mikita are on board to executive produce Stonewall Forever, a feature documentary centering on the famed LGBTQ institution.

Ferguson told THR,

“So much of where the community is today is because of wheels set in motion 50 years ago — and yet in the day of dying retail and Grindr, it is getting harder and harder to keep queer spaces open. We decided together that we wanted to create a documentary for the younger generation — one that tells the importance of queer spaces for gathering both then and now, and why we have to work to preserve these spaces. We hope that it will not only educate and enlighten but also inspire. We always need new leaders and who better to learn from that those who came before us.”

Producer-director Jeffrey Schwarz (Tab Hunter Confidential and the upcoming Goddess: The Fall & Rise of Showgirls) and exec producer Craig Gartner are expected to take advantage of World Pride festivities as a jumping-off point to tell the history of gay activism.

Using rare archival footage and photos, activist videos and home movies, along with animation, motion graphics and original music, the film will tie it all together with the story of Stonewall Inn itself, an institution and a business in NYC that has to deal with today’s rising rents, among other challenges.

Ferguson, who is actively involved in gay rights with his charity, Tie the Knot says,

“We are going to be on the frontlines at this year’s NYC gay pride which also happens to be World Pride and the 50th anniversary of Stonewall.”

Mikita added,

“Our main focus is to fully take advantage of documenting that once in a lifetime event.”

Schwarz says,

“Every time there is a major event in the community, people go to the Stonewall to celebrate. It’s s place to gather, to celebrate, to mourn, to protest and to party.
The movement has always been about moments of triumph and backlash. Every time there is progress, it’s followed by pushback. We’re in that moment again. A lot of the progress is being undone. That makes this story even more relevant and urgent to tell.”