As the pioneering PBS newsmagazine that showcases the GLBT community, In the Life celebrates 15 years of presenting absorbing, informative, life-changing television that tackles the salient issues affecting gay America.
Part documentary, part human interest story, In the Life broke new ground in the field of lifestyle programming by presenting a vast array of topics centering on the ever-evolving LGBT community in America. The program tackled everything from arts and culture, youth and education, health and AIDS, relationships and family, to workplace issues and concerns. Although the episodes presented never set out to be controversial or shocking, some of the stories wound up being difficult to process.
In the Life serves up the realities of gay life, not always warm and fuzzy images. Installments that expose the ugly face of bigotry and injustice against LGBT people and their families are powerful ways to teach. The show's newsmagazine format has made the show a cultural landmark in PBS' programming. Hosted by an impressive array of celebrity guest hosts, the broadcast has included appearances by Rosie O'Donnell, Sharon Gless, Kate Clinton, Michael Cunningham, singer Ani DiFranco and the always intriguing Charles Busch.
Today, In the Life, executive directed by Michelle Kristel and Maria Patrick, is broadcast on 246 analog and digital public television stations nationwide, reaching 70 million US households. I recently talked to ITL Director of Communications Jamie Dunne regarding the history of this landmark program and its direction for the future.
David Guarino: What factors make In the Life unique?
Jamie Dunne: Every month, ITL brings the real faces and issues of the LGBT communities into 70 million households. We tell stories that touch, surprise, and often spark action. And because we air on public television, ITL is able to inspire and inform the broadest spectrum of viewers.
What production are your particularly proud of?
I'm most proud of our January 2006 episode, Principles of Youth. The episode centered on queer youth and told stories from their perspectives. The segment I'm Still Emily featured 17-year-old Emily Frerichs, from a rural town in Iowa. Emily is the first person to come out in her Christian conservative town, and confronted tremendous homophobia when she attempted to start a gay/straight alliance at her high school. The viewer response to this story was overwhelming. Gay, straight, didn't matter, people from all walks of life were moved by this young woman's strength in the face of discrimination.
In 1992, ITL founder John Scagliotti and his band of rebel pioneers took the bold step of putting a gay-themed program on public television. ITL became the first regularly aired program featuring gays and lesbians as its focal point. With the surge in premium and cable-based LGBT-centric shows, broadcast television today more accurately reflects the diversity of its viewers. ITL is now seen on 246 public television stations nationwide (analog and digital), reaching 70 million US households. We reach an additional 23 million viewers through partnership with gay cable channel Logo, where encore episodes currently air.
We receive no funding from PBS, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, its presenting station WNET/Thirteen, or individual public television stations. We are supported by philanthropic foundations, individual giving, corporate sponsorships, and through the generous support of ITL members.
Is one of the goals of the show to better educate the straight population about the LGBT community?
We get to tell stories that viewers don't often see on network television. Our May 2006 episode Family Ties featured a segment on the parental rights of the non-biological parent in a same-sex relationship. What happens when a civil union ends and a child is involved? What happens when only one parent is the biological parent? These were the questions at the core of the segment A Civil War. Everybody's talking about the gay marriage issue. We're talking about Gay Divorce, and the ramifications it has on the family and the law. ITL seeks to inform others, regardless of their sexual orientation. By default, we also educate ourselves in the process.
WNET/Thirteen in New York serves as our presenting station, meaning that traditionally it's the first station to air us. Program directors at individual public stations decide when/if ITL airs. While we've grown from airing on six public television stations in 1992 to 246 today, there are still roadblocks with local stations, often in the heart of the Bible Belt or deep in the rural Midwest, refusing to air our program.
What's notable about the new crop of shows?
We're still putting together episodes for this season, but our 15th season premiere begins airing nationally in October. Inside Out features a powerful profile piece on former US Army Specialist Jeff Howe. Howe, through a series of unusual circumstances, was honorably discharged from the Army during his second tour of duty in Iraq. Howe chose In the Life as an outlet to share his personal story.