In 2022, Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law changes to how Alabama schools and medical professionals treat LGBTQ+ students. The new laws require students to use bathrooms that match their sex assigned at birth, criminalize healthcare providers who currently offer gender-affirming care, and more. AL.com, Reckon and Alabama Education Lab collaborated to hear from Alabamians who say their lives will change because of the new legislation.
Director: Amanda Khorramabadi
Producer: Kavolshaia Howze, Amanda Khorramabadi
Editor: Amanda Khorramabadi
Director of Photography: Amanda Khorramabadi
Additional Camera: Kavolshaia Howze
Sound: Amanda Khorramabadi, Kavolshaia Howze
Magic City Acceptance Academy opened in August 2022 and graduated its first class in May. While it markets itself as LGBTQ-affirming, as a public, charter school, it accepts students of all backgrounds. MCAA held their first prom in April. The event was a chance to celebrate the community that educators and students had carefully created, despite the many people in the outside world who directed hate at them. We spoke with MCAA senior students, Lyn and Clover, about their experience attending the charter school and captured moments from their prom.
Director: Amanda Khorramabadi, Dez Wilson
Producer: Amanda Khorramabadi, Dez Wilson, Savannah Tryens-Fernandes
Director of Photography: Amanda Khorramabadi
Additional Camera: Dez Wilson
Editor: Amanda Khorramabadi
Sound: Dez Wilson, Amanda Khorramabadi