It’s 2023, and although we see more uniqueness in the world, it still isn’t easy for everyone to be who they are without judgment. Now, imagine how it was 30+ years ago when there wasn’t a community for just about anything you can think of. During that time, two men, David Faulk and Michael Johnstone, in search of a safe place to express themselves and enjoy life, would create a community that would become bigger than the two could even imagine.
The Unabridged Mrs. Vera’s Daybook documents the lives of David Faulk and Michael Johnstone, two gay men from opposing upbringings, who would find themselves dealing with the same struggles. During a time when AIDS ran rampant primarily in the gay community, David and Michael began to see their friends and community falling victim to the terrible virus. Even the two men themselves would contract HIV.
Both David and Michael became AIDS activists finding comfort in each other while Michael’s health was decreasing as the virus would take a toll on his body. With the thought that their lives may be shorter than they had hoped, the two began to bring their two art forms together in photography and painting as a way to enjoy life. In this art, David and Michael
created Mrs. Vera’s Daybook. The Daybook was a series of photos put together of uniquely colorful and elaborate outfits worn by David’s alter ego, Mrs. Vera. The book eventually grew as their lives grew together for many years as they survived the same virus that took the lives of many of their friends. The number of photos caught the attention of many like-minded individuals, and a community was created where many could express themselves regardless of their sexuality.

“The Daybook was a series of photos put together of uniquely colorful and elaborate outfits worn by David’s alter ego, Mrs. Vera.”
This documentary is unique in many ways. Not only does it highlight two men in the LGBTQ+ community to tell their personal stories, but it also tells the stories of many in the community. Several men share their personal experiences during the height of AIDS, which come together to create a bigger picture, much like the art of David Faulk and Michael Johnstone. Another way The Unabridged Mrs. Vera’s Daybook documentary stands out is that words are used that are known to be offensive by many in the gay community but used by some of those within the community in a way that is almost freeing and empowering. Let’s face it, people will be offended by anything and everything these days, and it is refreshing to see free speech in use. It made the film more powerful.
Realistically, many people probably would not give The Unabridged Mrs. Vera’s Daybook any attention because of the subject matter. But if we allow ourselves to hear others out, hear their story and the struggles they have to deal with, maybe we can all learn something. And that is exactly what this documentary is truly about. It is about learning how to express your uniqueness and realizing that many others are out there looking to do the same freely and without judgment.