A documentary about discrimination against citizens of a lesser class.
***UPDATE*** THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!
ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY:
A second class citizen is defined as: a person whose rights and opportunities are treated as less important than those of other people in the same society. There are many areas in which gays, lesbians, & bisexuals do not have the same rights & opportunities as others in society. We must change this now.
I want to make a documentary that encompasses all areas in which we are discriminated against. The general population is not aware that discrimination against the gay community goes beyond marriage & bullying. There is far too much hate directed towards our community and I want to capture that hate on camera. In addition, I want to explore where this hate comes from, why it continues to exist, and what we must do to get rid of it. A better solution is needed because the solution we have right now isn't working fast enough.
I am not a second class citizen. You are not a second class citizen. Right now, the laws in place (and lack thereof) say that we are. Let's change that.
WHY I WANT TO MAKE THIS DOCUMENTARY:
The idea for this documentary was born when I first learned that California's Proposition 8 had passed, defining marriage only between a man & woman in that state. I was angry & I wanted to do something about it. As time went by, I learned more & more about the inequalities that exist for gays, lesbians, & bisexuals in this country. I made a friend on YouTube who revealed to me that he would be expelled from his school if they found out he was gay. I did not believe him - in what kind of reality could something like that be true? It is true. Shortly after that, a string of natural disasters occurred & my boss asked me if I wanted to donate blood with her. I immediately got up to go with her & then stopped abruptly realizing that I couldn't donate blood. She did not believe me, nor did she understand why. I felt like a different species. I did not feel one with the human race in that moment. That was the moment it had a direct effect on me & my rights - that is when I decided to make this documentary.
AREAS OF DISCRIMINATION COVERED:
*MARRIAGE
*ADOPTION
*EDUCATION (PRIVATE SCHOOLS)
*PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS/RELIGIONS
*EMPLOYMENT
*BLOOD, SPERM, & BONE MARROW DONATION
*ANTI-BULLYING LAW
*HOUSING
*HOMELESSNESS/PARENTAL OBLIGATION
*GAY PANIC DEFENSE
HOW YOUR CONTRIBUTION WILL BE USED:
Crew, equipment rental, travel/transportation, & post production make up a majority of the costs. We are now trying to reach a goal of $200,000 so that we can make the best film possible!
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T REACH MY GOAL:
I don't get to keep any of the money raised - it is all or nothing.
FOLLOW THE DOCUMENTARY:
REWARDS:
Limited Edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" Shirt:
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
4,272
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Funding period
Jan 9, 2012 -
Mar 9, 2012
(60 days)
- 2 created · 5 backed
- Ryan James Yezak 5467 friends
- Website: youtube.com
Pledge $5 or more
1120 backers
A big heartfelt thank you - no amount is too little. Your name will go on the donor section of the website.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $15 or more
379 backers
A thank you from Producer/Director Ryan James Yezak on Twitter or Facebook!
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590 backers
An autographed movie poster (11" x 17"). Along with... A thank you from Producer/Director Ryan James Yezak on Twitter or Facebook! *Please add $5 to international orders.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $35 or more
95 backers
A thank you phone call from Producer/Director Ryan James Yezak. I will need your phone number. I promise not to save it. Unless you want me to. An autographed fim poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $5 to international orders.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $50 or more
348 backers
A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $7 to international orders.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $75 or more
281 backers
Your name will appear as a credit at the end of the film! Along with... A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $7 to international orders.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $100 or more
521 backers
A limited edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" shirt (black or white). Along with... Credit at the end of the film. Along with... A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $7 to international orders.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $250 or more
37 backers
A personalized thank you video from Producer/Director Ryan James Yezak. Along with... A limited edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" shirt (black or white). Credit at the end of the film. A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $7 to international orders.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $500 or more
3 backers All gone!
Guest host a Monday edition video on the YouTube collab channel "Gays of the Week"! Along with... A personalized thank you video made for you by Producer/Director Ryan James Yezak. A limited edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" shirt (black or white). Credit at the end of the film. A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $7 to international orders.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $500 or more
4 backers
A Skype chat with Producer/Director Ryan James Yezak. Along with... A limited edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" shirt (black or white). Credit at the end of the film. A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $7 to international orders.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $700 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
The lifeguard buoy worn by shirtless comedian Guy Branum in the "California Gays" music video". Along with... A Skype chat with Ryan. A personalized thank you video made for you by Ryan. A limited edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" shirt (black or white). Credit at the end of the film. A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Add $15 for US shipping. *Add $25 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $750 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
You'll get to appear in Ryan's next music video filming in Los Angeles late January/early February. Along with... A Skype chat with Ryan. A personalized thank you video made for you by Ryan. A limited edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" shirt (black or white). Credit at the end of the film. A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Reward must be selected before shoot date. *Travel/hotel not provided. *Please add $7 to international orders.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $800 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
The wedding tuxedo/gown hybrid worn by the bride (Jake Quinney) in the "Only Gay In The World" music video. Along with... A Skype chat with Ryan. A personalized thank you video made for you by Ryan. A limited edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" shirt (black or white). Credit at the end of the film. A special edition DVD of the film. A movie poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $15 for US shipping. *Please add $25 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $900 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
The white flower vase from the "Peacock" music video - my personal favorite memorabilia from any of my music videos. Along with... A Skype chat with Producer/Director Ryan James Yezak. A personalized thank you video made for you by Ryan. A limited edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" shirt (black or white). Credit at the end of the film. A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $8 for US shipping. *Please add $15 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
6 backers
2 tickets to the Los Angeles film premiere -or- to the premiere closest to your city. Along with... A Skype chat with Ryan. A personalized thank you video made for you by Ryan. A limited edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" shirt (black or white). Credit at the end of the film. A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $7 to international orders. *Travel/Hotel not provided.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $2,500 or more
1 backer
Associate Producer credit! Along with... 2 tickets to the Los Angeles film premiere -or- to the premiere closest to your city. A Skype chat with Ryan. A personalized thank you video made for you by Ryan. A limited edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" shirt (black or white). Credit at the end of the film. A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $7 to international orders. *Travel/Hotel not provided.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $3,000 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
A dinner date with Producer/Director Ryan James Yezak. Along with... Associate Producer credit. 2 tickets to the Los Angeles film premiere -or- to the premiere closest to your city. A Skype chat with Ryan. A personalized thank you video made for you by Ryan. A limited edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" shirt (black or white). Credit at the end of the film. A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $7 to international orders. *Travel/Hotel not provided.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $3,000 or more
1 backer All gone!
A dinner date with Anthony Saldana (star of the "Only Gay In The World" music video). Along with... A Skype chat with Ryan. A personalized thank you video made for you by Ryan. A limited edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" shirt (black or white). Credit at the end of the film. A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $7 to international orders. *Travel/Hotel not provided.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $3,000 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
A dinner date with Cory Lee (star of the "Only Gay In The World" & "We R Who We R" music videos). Along with... A Skype chat with Ryan. A personalized thank you video made for you by Ryan. A limited edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" shirt (black or white). Credit at the end of the film. A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $7 to international orders. *Travel/Hotel not provided.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $7,500 or more
0 backers
Producer/Director Ryan James Yezak will travel to you to host a screening of the documentary in your living room. You can invite whoever you want & we will have a Q&A. Along with... A Skype chat with Ryan. A personalized thank you video made for you by Ryan. A limited edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" shirt (black or white). Credit at the end of the film. A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $7 to international orders. *Travel/Hotel not provided.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $10,000 or more
1 backer
Executive Producer credit! A trip to Los Angeles to attend the film premiere & dinner beforehand! Along with... A Skype chat with Ryan. A personalized thank you video made for you by Ryan. A limited edition "I Am Not A Second Class Citizen" shirt (black or white). Credit at the end of the film. A special edition DVD of the film. A film poster (11" x 17"). *Please add $7 to international orders. *Flight/Hotel included if in US. *Only hotel included if international.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013
