A Look Ahead with WPT’s Director of Programming

June 1, 2012 PBS Wisconsin Leave a Comment

I normally don’t write about specific theme months in our program schedule, but this June I’m particularly pleased with the strong lineup of new and repeat shows that we have for LGBT Pride Month. I’m pleased because not only are all of these shows good, but also I love being able to demonstrate Wisconsin Public Television’s ongoing commitment to diversity. As you read this you may be thinking to yourself that programs about gay and lesbian history may not appeal to you or have personal resonance, but I can assure you that there is some universality in every one of the following shows. Take my word for it.

Independent Lens “We Were Here”
In the early 1980’s men in San Francisco started getting sick and dying of what was then called the “Gay Plague.” Men and women in that community immediately began to recognize a tragic pattern, and by banding together became soldiers on the frontline of the impending HIV/AIDS epidemic. In this documentary we are introduced to riveting and moving personal stories of people who experienced the epidemic and its horrible consequences in real time. None of these people want to be called heroes, but in watching this film I couldn’t help but think that their actions, compassion and presence in the ailing community was nothing less than heroic. I could go on to write a more profound description, but I’ll defer to the words of filmmaker David Weissman:

I wouldn’t presume to say it better myself.
Independent Lens “We Were Here” premiers 8 p.m. Friday, June 15.

The entire month is peppered with great shows for LGBT Pride Month. I encourage you to check out a few or all of the following titles airing on Wisconsin Public Television in June: