Esther Newton is a pioneering scholar who studied queer culture and the queer community based on early cultural anthropological methods and whose work inspired and laid the groundwork for queer theorists such as Gayle Rubin, Jack (or Judith) Halberstam, and Judith Butler. <i>Ester Newton Made Me Gay</i> is a friendly guide to Newton’s life and research. Media artist Jean Carlomusto, who has worked on queer culture, the AIDS movement, and women’s history, smoothly weaves the dynamic trajectory of Newton’s life as well as historical records of the American queer community. Newton’s life, which was a continuation of opening new doors and embracing a bigger world, was not always safe but was always full of wonder. The film takes her to a new world, falls in love with her, and highlights the precious relationships of her life. The story of Esther Newton, who would bravely throw herself into others’ oceans and discover herself there, reminds us that our lives are always reciprocal and therefore liberating. While the film proposes a broader reasoning regarding identity and sexuality, it also captures Newton’s passionate moments, such as taking part in agility sports with her dogs. [SON Sinae]