Jocelyn Taylor

Greetings from Africa

Cheryl Dunye

Nora Breen, Cheryl Dunye

Cheryl, playing herself, humorously experiences the mysteries of lesbian dating in the '90s.

Bodily Functions

Jocelyn Taylor

Exploring the notions of body image and sexual expression as they intersect with family and society, this short interweaves three narratives: first, a "naked fugitive on the loose" as she runs, walks and leaves traces of her "alien" existence throughout the city; second, a butch lesbian persona who is the naked woman's secret cohort; and third, a young girl who is just understanding her own sexuality.

Frankie & Jocie

Jocelyn Taylor

Examining the relationships between brother and sister, hetero and queer, male and female, this video weaves a provocative discussion between a Black lesbian and her straight brother. In an eloquent examination of desire and denial, Jocie attempts to make her brother acknowledge the violent face of homophobia recounting a time when she was attacked. Frankie candidly tells his sister about his own disempowering experiences as a Black man and recounts the time he tried to seduce her former lover. A candid and brilliant dialogue between family members.

24 Hours a Day

Jocelyn Taylor

Routine activities take on curious sexual overtones.

Black Nations/Queer Nations?

Shari Frilot

Jocelyn Taylor, Isaac Julien

This is an experimental documentary chronicling the March 1995 groundbreaking conference on lesbian and gay sexualities in the African diaspora. The conference brought together an array of dynamic scholars, activists and cultural workers including Essex Hemphill, Kobena Mercer, Barbara Smith, Urvashi Vaid and Jacqui Alexander to interrogate the economic, political and social situations of diasporic lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgendered peoples. The video brings together the highlights of the conference and draws connections between popular culture and contemporary black gay media production. The participants discuss various topics: Black and queer identity, the shortcomings of Black nationalism, and homophobia in Black communities. Drawing upon works such as Isaac Julien's "The Attendant" and Jocelyn Taylor's "Bodily Functions", this documentary illuminates the importance of this historic conference for Black lesbians and gays.