Wed. May 19, 2004
New York, NY -
For its all-new Gay Pride Month episode this June, In the Life investigates how discriminatory government policies like "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" are hindering the nation's efforts to combat terrorism. In the Life is the TV newsmagazine of record on gay and lesbian America.
On the 35th anniversary of the June 1969 Stonewall Riots, In the Life examines how policies throughout United States history -from McCarthyism to the Patriot Act-have needlessly framed gays and lesbians as threats to national security.
In the special report, In the Life interviews Retired Rear Admiral Alan Steinman, who became the highest-ranking member of the military to disclose that he is gay in December 2003, and Robert Hicks and Alistair Gamble, two Army linguists fluent in Arabic who were discharged at the height of the war on terror for being gay. (Segment Title: "Level Pink")
Hosted by Tony Award-winning actor Cherry Jones, the special June episode also showcases the following segments:
PFLAG's 30th Anniversary: On its 30th anniversary, In the Life profiles the courageous parents who founded Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), the nation's largest family-based gay and lesbian civil rights organization, and its African-American offshoot, PFLAG Family Reunion. (Segment Title: "PFLAG")
Political Science: From sin to crime to mental illness, In the Life traces the politicization of "homosexuality." Showcasing interviews with pioneering gay and lesbian activists Barbara Gittings and Frank Kameny, In the Life explores the decades-long effort that culminated in the 1973 decision by the American Psychological Association to declassify homosexuality as a mental illness. (Segment Title: "Political Science")
India's Transcendent Gender: In the Life sits down with Alexandra Shiva and Sean MacDonald, whose documentary, "Bombay Eunuch," explores the Hijras, a long revered community of eunuchs in India that is now scorned. (Segment Title: Real to Reel:"Bombay Eunuch")
Harvey Fierstein's Out Takes: In the Life's outspoken commentator, four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, calls on the gay community to reach out and take an active role in mentoring and supporting LGBT youth. (Segment Title: "Bringing Up Babies")
In The Life can be seen on WTTW Channel 11 in Chicago and WTVP Channel 47 in Peoria. Check local listings for dates and times.
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