Angry Gay Grandpa
The Angry Gay Grandpa web series is about Trans youth suicides in the wake of GOP-led anti-Trans and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation sweeping the U.S.
It’s also about preventing future suicides of Trans and LGBTQ youth by creating and broadcasting a PSA/commercial supporting LGBTQ youth during the 2024 election season.
In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, five Trans and non-binary youth suicides have occurred in the last eighteen months. Despite anti-Trans rhetoric being partially implicated in two of the teens’ suicides, there has been virtually no media coverage of this tragedy.
In April 2024, James protested at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to bring attention to the five trans and non-binary youth suicides that have occurred in the same Pennsylvania county where many anti-LGBTQ legislations in Pennsylvania were sponsored, supported and pushed — by GOP Majority Whip, State Senator Ryan Aument. You can read more about the “Ask Why Five Died” protest on the Press Page.
The Angry Gay Grandpa web series is part of the Not Losing You film project, a non-profit commercial film project that seeks to support Trans and LGBTQ youth through filmed media.
The Not Losing You Company is a 501(c)(4) social welfare non-profit corporation.
You can learn more about, and support, the 30 second PSA commercial here at GoFundMe.
What is a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation?
A 501(c)(4) social welfare non-profit corporation is an organization to promote social welfare and benefit the community; it is not organized for profit and is allowed to engage in social information activities such as making a PSA/commercial supporting Trans and LGBTQ youth amid a wave of GOP-led anti-Trans legislation sweeping the U.S. Donations to The Not Losing You Company, because it is a 501(c)(4) org, are not tax deductible.
James Lantz
James Lantz is the filmmaker behind the Angry Gay Grandpa web series and the Not Losing You PSA commercial project.
He’s an award-winning filmmaker and playwright who has been writing and directing film and theater work for over three decades.
As a teen, James began working as a country radio DJ in the same Virginia station where music legend Patsy Cline got her start and where he learned the craft from a number of colorful old timers. Later he taught high school in a farming program called Vocational Agriculture where he was honored to be named Teacher of the Year. He went on to produce, write and direct hundreds of film projects including many award winners, a documentary or two, and commercial films for many for Fortune 500 Companies.
His award-winning LGBTQ play, “The Bus” was produced Off-Broadway, nationally and internationally. New York theater critic Weston Clay called it “Theater magic,” and British Theatre Guide said it was “fascinating.” On its premiere in Vermont the Burlington Free Press called it, “Extraordinary.”
He came out as gay two years ago on National Coming Out Day. You can read his Coming Out letter to his wife here. One of his two sons identifies as queer, and he has two close relatives who identify as Trans/non-binary.
James has also been public about his diagnosis five years ago with a rare Sarcoma cancer called MPNST which has left him partially disabled. Despite this he still believes it’s possible to change the world for the better and is working to complete the Not Losing You PSA/commercial prior to the 2024 presidential election.
You can see some of James’ work and learn more about him at his website here.