Gay Pioneers

“The momentum is there, and that’s not going to be stopped. It’s moved from hopes of a grassroots movement to the actuality of a grassroots movement.”  – Frank Kameny

Producer: Equality Forum and WHYY/PBS
Director: Glenn Holsten
Executive Producer: Malcolm Lazin
2001 (27 minutes)

“Gay Pioneers” offers a firsthand account of the early LGBTQ civil rights movement and its seminal demonstrations, most notably, the Annual Reminders, which were held in front of Independence Hall each Fourth of July from 1965 to 1969. When few individuals would publicly identify as gay for fear of retribution — physical attacks, arrest, job loss, ostracism — a group of proud trailblazing activists, led by Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings, carried picket signs demanding equality.

The film braids archival footage and interviews with Frank Kameny, Barbara Gittings, and five other Gay Pioneers. Watch it here.

Learn More

To learn more about the Gay Pioneers featured in this film and other trailblazing activists, click the links below for access to their LGBT History Month videos, bios, downloadable images, and other resources.