New documentary examines Malcolm Kenyatta's historic campaign for U.S. Senate

The 2022 race for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania was a crowded one, with several candidates from each party seeking to replace former Sen. Pat Toomey in Washington. Democrat John Fetterman ultimately came out on top, but a new documentary delves into the historic campaign of Malcolm Kenyatta.

Kenyatta, a state representative from Philadelphia, became the first openly gay person to run for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. Had he won, he would have become the first openly gay Black senator in U.S. history.

The film, “Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn,” examines Kenyatta’s emergence as a rising star in Pennsylvania politics, delving into his childhood in North Philly, his work as a community activist and his decision to run for state House in 2018. His win over Republican Milton Street made him the first openly LGBTQ person of color to be elected to a state office in Pennsylvania.

The film also chronicles Kenyatta’s decision to run for U.S. Senate and his wedding to Matthew Miller-Kenyatta, which occurred amid the Democratic primary. After losing to Fetterman, earning just 10.3% of the vote, Kenyatta campaigned for Fetterman during the general election.

“TODAY” weatherman Al Roker and Seven Knots Films served as the executive producers of the documentary. The film will premiere at BFI Flare, London’s LGBTQIA film festival, on March 17-18. In the U.S., it will debut at The American Documentary and Animation Film Festival in Palm Springs, California, on March 31.

Read the whole article at Philly Voice.