The OPEN BOOK PROJECT

The Open Book Project is a multimedia documentary project that will be completed in a set of multiple chapters. A visual exploration of LGBTQ+ people and communities all over the world. Eager to define ourselves and spread awareness in a world that wants you to stay hidden, there is often one narrative told about what it means to be LGBTQ+. But LGBTQ+ people come in all forms, all colors of the rainbow, and from all over the world. They can't be crammed into a stereotype. The one thing they all have in common: they have had t learn to love themselves and to love others in a world where society's standard of love doesn’t always include them.

Chapter 1 of our journey was completed in 2017 and opened our eyes to the possibilities for this project to expand. We are currently restructuring and hope to begin again very soon!

A project by Morgan Melamed and Alexandra Schmelzer

alexandra ann schmelzer

Alexandra Schmelzer (Lexie) is a Boulder, Colorado native. Her whole life, she surrounded herself with people that knew love wasn't defined by social norms, but she didn't get involved in the LGBTQ+ community until she met people that really showed her not only the strength and joy in it, but the need for support. At the Student Diversity Leadership Conference in Tampa, Florida in 2015, Lexie found herself in the LGBTQ+ affinity group and she developed a profound interest and passion for protecting and fighting for the rights of LGBTQ+ people.

Morgan ann melamed

Morgan Melamed grew up just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota and moved to Colorado at age 13. She’s currently attending Colorado State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work. She has identified with the LGBTQ+ community since 7th grade, eventually creating a Gay Straight Alliance and interning with the LGBTQ+ branch of the Boulder County Public Health Department in high school. She attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference in Indianapolis in 2014 and Tampa in 2015 and had life changing experiences that inspired her to always be an active participant in the culture around her. Throughout her life, Morgan has had a passion for enhancing her community, experiencing new things, taking risks, and making the most of life. Human connections and the diversity of cultures are at the core of her beliefs.

Morgan and Lexie

Despite attending the same high school (of merely 500 students) for four years, Morgan and Lexie did not become friends until they traveled all the way to Florida for SDLC in December of 2015. They passed each other in the hall almost every day and heard all the rumors spread about each other and, because of this, they assumed they knew each other well enough. Actually getting to know each other for the first time in the middle of their senior year, they realized that they had a lot more in common than they'd ever thought; sharing passions for people, human rights, traveling, film production, and even the 90's sitcom 'Friends'. Their friendship fused almost instantly and was strengthened by the opportunity to travel to Italy together just three months later. Now; they plan to see many more places together in the future. They both move around and travel frequently. While the things they have in common fostered a close friendship, what makes it great are their differences. Throughout high school Morgan set aside her passion for film to lead the Gay Straight Alliance, while Lexie did the inverse, heading the film club. This project brings their different strengths and weaknesses into balance and is fueled by a shared desire to make a difference and a complete disregard for any realistic limitations.

Chapter 1: Make america gay again

In the harsh reality that is the United States current political climate, life for LGBTQ+ youth is becoming more and more frightening. In the US chapter of The Open Book Project, we will begin by exploring the individual lives of LGBTQ+ youth all over the country, from the worst to the best climates for acceptance. We will see both sides - the opinions, stories, and realities of LGBTQ+ people and communities, to the opinions and goals of right wing conservatives, Westboro picketers, and Oklahoma football players. We aim to speak with as many people as we can, from college students to catholic priests. Most of all, we will see the immense importance of access to the LGBTQ+ community; with all its youth centers, churches, and even drag bars in the toughest southern states. Helping people see that access to this community, acceptance, education, solidarity, and love are what make a difference in this world and what will stay strong through persistent intolerance.