inthelife's Blog

Commemorating Women's History Month, IN THE LIFE focuses its lens on the representation of LGBT women in television and cinema. Since its premiere in 2004, the popular and controversial The L Word series was cutting-edge in its portrayal of lesbian life and culture on television. We return to its cast and creators as it enters its 6th and final season. In A Conversation With , film producer Christian Vachon and leading actress Julianne Moore discuss their long-time collaboration, queer cinema, and homophobia in Hollywood; and, a nostalgic look at the 1986 ground-breaking lesbian film Desert Hearts with director Donna Deitch and the film's star, Patricia Charboneau.

In observance of Black History Month, IN THE LIFE explores several facets of the kaleidoscope that is the LGBT African-American community. We profile New Jersey community activist Bernie McAlister and his "House of Jourdan", part of the gay ball sub-culture that has expanded its social role to include AIDS education/outreach to queer youth. New York Governor David Paterson and Yale professor George Chauncey reflect on the continuing struggle for gay civil rights. In a Real to Reel, filmmaker Abigail Child follows four young men navigating the complexities of living On the Down-low.

TIES THAT BIND
January 2009 | Episode 1804

This month IN THE LIFE explores the power of religion to shape our lives, worldview, and our political convictions…providing spiritual guidance and comfort, but often used to promote intolerance and hatred of LGBT people.
Looking at the intersection of religion and sexuality, we see how gays and lesbians reconcile their faith within their religious communities.

IN GOD WE TRUSTED
Believing that homosexuals have no place in the Christian church, evangelical ex-gay ministries, such as EXODUS, have been established around the country to re-program LGBT people to make them heterosexuals…often with tragic consequences. 

A Conversation With…Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum and Bishop Gene Robinson
Sharon Kleinbaum, rabbi of New York's largest LGBT synagogue, leads Judaism's national dialogue on the issues of gay rights and social justice.  Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Bishop in the Episcopal Church, has been at the center of the Church's heated debate on homosexuality.  The rabbi and the bishop discuss their spiritual journeys, faith, religion, and politics.

Real to Reel: A JIHAD FOR LOVE
In the world of Islam, "Jihad" translates as a "struggle in the way of God."  For gay Muslims, reconciling one's homosexuality is a struggle against oppression, against tradition, and fear.  In our final story, Director Parvez Sharma's groundbreaking film, A JIHAD FOR LOVE, looks at gay and lesbian Muslims who strive to be true to their Faith and themselves.