Documenting LGBTQ+ Heritage: DOU DOU Partners with National Parks Conservation Association
In an exciting development at the intersection of filmmaking and historical preservation, we're proud to share details about our latest collaboration with the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). Together, we've created a powerful documentary that shines a light on America's first federally recognized LGBTQ+ historic site, told through the remarkable journey of activist Mark Segal.
The Power of Personal History
When we first approached this project, we knew we needed to ground it in lived experience. Mark Segal's story provided the perfect narrative backbone. As a Stonewall veteran and lifelong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Mark's firsthand account of the riots and the decades-long fight for recognition creates an emotional entry point that resonates with viewers regardless of their background.
What makes this documentary special is how it connects personal struggle with national identity. By following Mark's journey, we've been able to document how trauma, resistance, and community building have shaped not just LGBTQ+ history, but American history as a whole.
Reimagining National Parks Through a Queer Lens
This project challenged us to think differently about what constitutes a national landmark. When most people think of America's parks system, they envision natural wonders like Yellowstone or Yosemite. But our national parks also include sites of cultural and historical significance—places where pivotal moments in our collective story unfolded.
Through intimate storytelling techniques, we've helped the NPCA expand the conversation around preservation to include queer identity, marginalized history, and cultural memory. The documentary asks viewers to consider: Whose stories get preserved? Who decides what's historically significant? How do we ensure diverse experiences are reflected in our national monuments?
Mark Segal Activist
Creating Visual Language for Invisible Histories
One of our biggest challenges was developing a visual approach for histories that have often been deliberately hidden. LGBTQ+ stories have frequently been erased, with physical spaces repurposed or demolished. Our team worked to create a visual language that acknowledges absence while celebrating presence.
We combined archival footage, on-location filming, and carefully composed interviews to create a sense of place that honors both the physical landmark and the emotional landscape it represents. The result is a documentary that feels both historically grounded and intimately personal.
Impact Beyond Screens
What's most exciting about this project is its potential impact beyond the documentary itself. By documenting this landmark site through Mark's story, we're contributing to a broader movement to preserve LGBTQ+ history for future generations.
The NPCA has already begun using footage and insights from our collaboration in their education and advocacy work. For communities whose histories have been systematically erased, seeing their stories reflected in national preservation efforts represents a powerful form of validation and inclusion.
Looking Forward
This documentary represents just the beginning of what we hope will be ongoing work in preserving marginalized histories. At DOU DOU, we believe in the power of visual storytelling to not just document the past, but to shape how we understand our shared spaces and collective future.
We're grateful to Mark Segal for sharing his story, to the NPCA for their partnership, and to everyone who has supported this project along the way. Together, we're helping to ensure that America's parks system truly reflects the diversity of American experience.
Stay tuned for information about where you can watch the documentary and how you can support efforts to preserve LGBTQ+ historic sites in your own community.
DOU DOU is a production company specializing in documentary storytelling that centers underrepresented narratives and histories. Through innovative visual techniques and deep subject immersion, we create content that challenges conventional perspectives while building bridges between diverse communities.