Episode Summary
This summer, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, IN THE LIFE is proud to present Summer of Stonewall – a three-part series commemorating that 1969 seminal event marking the beginning of the modern gay movement. Kicking off with this special hour-long show, “40th Anniversary of Stonewall,” the series features stories and firsthand accounts from the activists who have worked in the movement over the last 40 years, and with the young ones inspired by our current political climate; we’ll explore the pivotal moments shaping the history of LGBT civil rights and the many contributions along the way that the gay people have made to American life.
The State of the Movement — A Look at its Past, Present, Future
How do we measure our progress? IN THE LIFE speaks to activists young and old to explore where we have come from and how far we have left to go.
Youth Now — The Cost of “Coming Out” Young
Not many can say for certain who ignited the spark that led to the Stonewall Riots, but what is certain is that many of the instigators were young, some transgender, and a few homeless: youth, with nothing to lose and everything to fight for. 40 years later, there’s been tremendous growth in the number and diversity of LGBT youth services available in this country. Yet, as providers will tell you — at a time when the average age of “coming out” has dropped from early twenties to early teens — these are the best and the worst of times for our young people.
The Written Word — Queer Communication: From Flyers to HTML
Before the 1950s, men and women who identified themselves as gay or lesbian had little print media of their own. Comparing how we once communicated to how we connect today, it is clear that the Internet has radically altered our ability to reach each other and to publish our testimonies and opinions.
A Conversation With… activist, writer Larry Kramer (co-founder of ACT-UP, GMHC) and performer, DJ, and pop-icon Lady Bunny
These longtime partners-in-activism discuss the advancements and setbacks of the LGBT movement, and share their fears and hopes for the future of LGBT activism. Revealing some little-known details about sexual preferences of past U.S. presidents, they also discuss why gay history needs to be taught in schools.
The Gay Betsy Ross — The Rainbow Flag, Its history, and how it inspired the movement to adopt a new symbol
Gilbert Baker is the man behind the most visible and recognizable symbol of gay pride: the rainbow flag. An unsung hero and historian of the LGBT movement, Baker was asked by Harvey Milk in 1978 to create an emblem for the community. Replacing the pink triangle, the LGBT community adopted the rainbow flag — a symbol of its diversity and unity in the pursuit of equality for all.
– –
“40th Anniversary of Stonewall” begins airing June 1st, and will be available for free video streaming and downloadable podcasts from the IN THE LIFE website starting June 2nd. To find out when it will be airing in your local area, or to stream or download it, go to www.inthelifetv.org.
Leave a Reply