A Brief History

In response to a long-standing history of disturbingly negative portrayal of non-heterosexual lifestyle on television, John Scagliotti, producer ofBefore Stonewall, had a pioneering idea to bring real gay and lesbian faces to television, and by 1992, comedian Kate Clinton did appear on six public television stations as the first host of In The Life (ITL). "The pilot episode featured a diverse group of performers: dancers, comedians, folk singers and even the New York Gay Men's Chorus." ⁽³⁾

By the end of 1993, ITL had transformed into a "behind-the-news-desk public affairs program" and by its third season, the show moved out of the studios and onto the street, "where [it] found its true calling: on-the-scene reporting of the issues that matter to lesbian and gay audiences, and that ought to matter to everyone else." ⁽⁴⁾

Even after the television sit-com Will and Grace premiered in 1998 (opening the doors for more and more shows to depict gay and lesbian life on television) and with the more recent advent of two GLBT cable network stations (LOGO and here!), In The Life continues to educate and expose with its unique and entertaining format, and quite happily by the year 2010, anyone can tune into their website to view the various episodes of the show on demand.

And it is as the authors there note, "IN THE LIFE's 16-year history proves that whatever the story is, we will cover it, and our viewers will be educated, motivated and empowered." ⁽⁵⁾

• You can read the full history of In The Life here