Outfest Spotlight: "A Jihad for Love" provides some much-needed perspective...

It's pretty tough to think you have problems after watching a movie like "A Jihad for Love." I watched a screener of the documentary, which plays tonight at Outfest, and the tears just fell. Your heart breaks for what the people in this film have been put through because they are gay.

Directed and written by Parvez Sharma, it was shot in twelve countries and nine languages. "Jihad" is an amazing film in which the subjects of the documentary speak openly about the challenges of being gay/lesbian and Muslim. There are those who have had to flee their country or been beaten or jailed. There are also the deeply personal struggles to reconcile a faith that is part of the fabric of who they are, with a faith that also rejects them for who they love.

The screening tonight begins at 7 p.m. at the Directors Guild of America Theatre. Tickets can only be purchased at the door at this point.

For more information about Outfest, the 26th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival - which runs July 9-21 - go to Outfest.org