David Farnor | On 19, May 2021

Disney+ has announced Pride, a new six-part documentary series chronicling the struggle for LGBTQ+ civil rights in America.

decade-by-decade from the 1950s onward. Premiering on June 25th, PRIDE will be available as a Star Original in the UK, with all six episodes dropping at once exclusively on Disney+.

From Killer Films (This American Life, Mildred Pierce) and VICE Studios (Flee, The Report), the show takes us through the heroic and heartbreaking stories that defined America as a nation, moving decade by decade from the 1950s onwards. Helmed by six renowned LGBTQ+ directors, the series spans the FBI surveillance of homosexuals during the 1950s Lavender Scare to the “Culture Wars” of the 1990s and beyond, exploring the queer legacy of the Civil Rights movement and the battle over marriage equality. Featuring little-known characters such as Madeleine Tress or 1980s videographer Nelson Sullivan who chronicled a vanishing downtown New York City during the AIDS epidemic, the series also features international figures such as Civil Rights pioneer Bayard Rustin, writer Audre Lord and Senators Tammy Baldwin and Lester Hunt.

The evolution of trans rights and identities through the decades is also charted through interviews and archival footage of pioneers including Christine Jorgensen, Flawless Sabrina, Ceyenne Doroshow, Susan Stryker, Kate Bornstein, Dean Spade and Raquel Willis. PRIDE is executive produced by Alex Stapleton, Danny Gabai, Kama Kaina & Stacy Scripter for VICE Studios and Killer Films Christine Vachon & Sydney Foos.

The series premieres on Disney+ on 25th June. Here’s the breakdown of each episode:

Episode 1 – “1950s: People Had Parties”

A revealing look at the vibrant and full lives lived by queer people in the 1950s amidst a steep rise in governmental regulations against the LGBTQ+ community led by Senator Joseph McCarthy, who ushered in an era of government-sanctioned persecution. Directed by Tom Kalin.

Episode 2 – “1960s: Riots & Revolutions”

Even before Stonewall, Pride took root in the 1960s when lesser-known heroes from marginalized communities, including queer girls of color and trans women, played an integral role in the advancement of the movement. Through activism and protest, small and large, the LGBTQ+ community struggled for rights, acceptance and equality. Directed by Andrew Ahn.

Episode 3 – “1970s: The Vanguard of Struggle”

In this personal journey, Cheryl Dunye interweaves archival footage, personal testimonies and interviews to show how the 1970s helped forge a national movement, from the first Gay Pride march, to the rise of artists like filmmaker Barbara Hammer and poet Audre Lorde, to the confrontation of intersectional feminism and the backlash and opposition from the religious right. Directed by Cheryl Dunye.

Episode 4 – “1980s: Underground”

New York City in the 1980s, reinvigorated by the prior era’s sexual revolution and the ascendance of the Gay Liberation Front, saw an influx of queer people to downtown Manhattan and the rise of the underground ball scene. At the same time, the AIDS epidemic devastated the gay community as Ronald Reagan and his Moral Majority refused to intervene. Directed by Anthony Caronna and Alex Smith.

Episode 5 – “1990s: The Culture Wars”

The 1990s were supposed to herald a new era for the LGBTQ+ community. With the election of Bill Clinton, they finally had an ally in the White House – or so they thought. The Culture Wars were in full swing, and being fought everywhere from Capitol Hill to movie theatres to churches. They devastated communities but also galvanized LGBTQ+ people to create policies and organizations that still fight for equality today. Directed by Yance Ford.

Episode 6 – “2000s: Y2Gay”

The 2000s ushered in a new age of queer visibility where gays and lesbians were gaining acceptance in the mainstream media. But even as cisgender white members of the LGBTQ+ community found a place in society, the struggle for trans rights continued, and that fight has only in the present day taken the main stage. Directed by Ro Haber.

 

The Mysterious Benedict Society is available on Disney+ UK, as part of a £7.99 monthly subscription or a £79.99 yearly subscription.

 

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