Nov 2007
IN THE LIFE celebrates its amazing archive by looking back at some of the people and places the series has introduced you to over the past 16 years. IN THE BELTWAY In a rare interview, lesbian comic Kate Clinton spends time with one of the nation's leading Congressmen, Barney Frank. IMMIGRATION In 1996 the Defense of Marriage Act was passed, giving states the power to decide whether or not to recognize gay marriages. This story from the same year explores the challenges this law presents for bi-national couples. As an update to the story, Rachel Tiven of Immigration Equality offers her insight into where the issue stands today. BEIJING In 1995 Beijing, China hosted the Fourth United Nations Conference on Women. From countries big and small, women met to discuss their rights to health, equality, and freedom from violence. Amongst this group of women, a strong contingent of lesbians made their voices heard. TWO-SPIRIT PEOPLE A culture of acceptance has long-existed for Native American gay, lesbian, and transgender people. But this changed when the European colonists arrived. Now Two-Spirit people are reclaiming their right to be respected members of their communities. GAY AND DEAF This next story takes viewers inside the world of gay men and lesbians who are deaf - people who share a language and experience unfamiliar to most of us, yet who see that purely as a challenge, not a handicap. TO WONG FOO Remember the film To Wong Foo starring Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo? In 1995 we took a fun look at the film, with Katherine Linton as our host and with interviews by Charles Busch playing the part of legendary film star Mary Dale. JUDY Judy Garland has long had a huge gay following. For many, Garland's life and work was inspirational. The final story looks at the connection between the death of this American icon and the Stonewall Riots.
Feb 2008
Always at the forefront of the modern LGBT movement, women have shaped its perception and given it voice. This month's IN THE LIFE, Voices of Sisterhood, celebrates Women's History Month with a collection of stories honoring the struggles, triumphs, and art of LGBT women around the world. BEEBO BRINKER In the 1950's and 60's Ann Bannon wrote a series of lesbian pulp novels. Provocative and daring, these books thrust this housewife into literary history. Now, they have now come to life through the play: The Beebo Brinker Chronicles. MARGARITA SANCHEZ Puerto Rico, despite its reputation for being a gay-friendly destination, had a law on its books (Article 103) making sex between members of the same gender a crime. Activist Margarita Sanchez took on the system, confident in the belief that there is space for everyone in our society. OLIVIA RECORDS Founded in 1973, Olivia Records provided a means for lesbians and feminists to find their "voice," both literally and figuratively. What started as a musical venture, soon evolved into a successful corporate entity leading the way in the ever-growing marketplace for gay travel. CATCH ONE CLUB Combining a nightclub with a community outreach program, Los Angeles' Catch One Club became an instant hit in the lesbian community, particularly among women of color. As the music plays on, the Catch One Club continues to serve as a beacon for the community. ONE WOMAN PRESS Lisa Moore took it upon herself to find a way to express the lives of African-American gay men and lesbians through the written word. As the founder and editor of RedBone Press, and winner of several Lambda Literary Awards, Lisa gave her community's many unheard stories a home. LESBIAN ACTIVISM IN THE PHILIPPINES IN THE LIFE introduces you to some brave women at the forefront of Lesbian Activism in The Philippines. In spite of its oppressive attitude toward LGBT life, these women stepped forward to demand visibility and change. ACTION ARCHITECT Once dubbed the Evil Knievel of dance, Elizabeth Streb challenged perceptions of this medium by combining acrobatics, science, and art in the pursuit of pure movement. A self-professed "Action Architect," Streb redefined the limits of dance choreography by devising new ways to move.
Jul 2008
This month's IN THE LIFE, Talking it Out, expands its popular " A Conversation With..." series to a full hour pairing Camille Paglia with Sandra Bernhard; Michael Billy with Richard Kim; and Dr. Marjorie Hill with Wilson Cruz, to explore ideas, personalities, and challenges from the LGBT experience.
Aug 2008
This month's IN THE LIFE, "A Festival of Film," visits the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival on its 10th anniversary, and Fort Lauderdale's first festival with a look at its "kick-off" feature, "Ask Not," about the impact of the U.S. military's ban on gays in the armed forces; "It's Elementary" raised a storm of protest and dialogue when the cameras entered several grade schools 10 years ago and recorded 3rd & 4th graders challenging gay stereotypes...a decade later, now young adults, the students reflect on the experience in "It's Still Elementary;" Scots/Indian director Pratibha Parmar's film, "Nina's Heavenly Delights," reveals the exotic world of lesbian love in the Indian community of Glasgow, Scotland, a world far-removed from Bollywood, but not so far; The Cliks, the cutting-edge, gender-queer band, stand back and look at their amazing success and life "on the road;" Margaret Cho reveals the inside secret U.S. Air Force plan to develop a "gay bomb," to turn our enemies "gay" and make love not war; and, finally, an affectionate revisiting of Charles Busch's interview with legendary filmmaker, John Schlesinger.
Sep 2008
"Civil Rites & Civil Rights" takes an in-depth look at the journey to marriage equality in America's most populous state, and the real possibility that this newly gained right could be erased with the passage of the Proposition 8 referendum in November. In "A Conversation With....", Jonathan Capehart, Pulitzer Prize editorial writer at the Washington Post talks with Julian Bond, Chair of the NAACP about the intersections of gay rights, civil rights, and marriage equality. The episode concludes with Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco presiding at the nuptials of a couple together for over 50 years, who could finally say "We're Married!"