Gay Pioneers is the story of the first “homosexual” civil rights demonstrations staged annually in Philadelphia, New York and Washington, DC from 1965-69, prior to Stonewall. When few would have publicly identified themselves as gay, these brave gays and lesbians were willing to step forward.

On July 4, 1965, ten (10) people carried signs in front of Independence Hall supporting gay emancipation. By July 4, 1969, one hundred and fifty (150) people participated. The annual demonstrations were abandoned in 1970 in order to join forces in the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots demonstration. That led to the largest gathering for gays and lesbians when in 1970 between one to two thousand people congregated in New York’s Central Park. That demonstration encouraged activist to stage the first gay pride parade in NYC.

Gay Pioneers is directed by PBS award winning documentary filmmaker Glenn Holsten, produced by PBS affiliate WHYY and co-produced by Equality Forum.

Gay Pioneers braids archival footage from these early demonstrations; files from the FBI obtained under the Freedom of Information Act and on-camera interviews of the pioneers, who reflect on the 1965 to 69 demonstrations and how these demonstrations impacted a national and international civil rights movement.

Director: Glenn Holsten

Gay Pioneers home: www.gaypioneers.com

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