Directed by Marlon Riggs

Marlon Riggs, with assistance from other gay Black men, especially poet Essex Hemphill, celebrates Black men loving Black men as a revolutionary act. The film intercuts footage of Hemphill reciting his poetry, Riggs telling the story of his growing up, scenes of men in social intercourse and dance, and various comic riffs, including a visit to the "Institute of Snap!thology," where men take lessons in how to snap their fingers: the sling snap, the point snap, the diva snap. In Celebration of Wicked Queer's 35 years we are revisiting films that made an impact on our culture and continue to resonate. Filmmaker Marlon Riggs' landmark film TONGUES UNTIED gave a voice to communities of gay black men, presenting their cultures and perspectives on the world as they confront racism, homophobia and marginalization. “My struggle has allowed me to transcend that sense of shame and stigma identified with my being a black gay man. Having come through that fire, they can’t touch me.” — Marlon T. Riggs