Showtime Networks will honor Gay Pride Month with provocative programming featuring the network's celebrated new documentary SAME SEX AMERICA, which takes a hard look at the headline-making gay marriage controversy.
A mix of compelling dramas and documentaries, the network's original programming slate demonstrates that gay Americans, despite decades of civil rights advances, are still struggling for acceptance and equal rights. The June line-up will also include four new episodes of QUEER AS FOLK, which begin its fifth and final season and ends July 31st with a two-hour season finale. This groundbreaking series, which airs Sundays at 9 p.m. (CST), was the first television drama series to fully explore the lives and issues of a gay community.
The Gay Pride Month programming also furthers the network's commitment to Viacom's KNOW HIV/AIDS initiative, an unprecedented, global media campaign that combats HIV/AIDS through education.
The line-up includes the following films:
SAME SEX AMERICA (June 28, 7 p.m. CST) has played to enthusiastic audiences at many prestigious festivals including The Tribeca Film Festival, The Full Frame Documentary Festival and The Independent Film Festival of Boston. The film follows several gay and lesbian couples as they try to navigate the civil rights clash over same sex marriage. Beginning in Massachusetts, where the move to legalize gay marriage created a conservative backlash that reached all the way to the White House, SAME SEX AMERICA examines both sides of the political debate and a family's right to define itself without interference from the state or federal government. The film is directed by Henry Corra ("Umbrellas,"
"George") of Corra Films, Inc., edited by Charlene Rule, produced by Alex R. Johnson and executive produced by Robert F. Katz, Jerry Kupfer and Jay Peterson.WE ARE DAD (June 19, 6 p.m. CST) is a gut-wrenching documentary centered around partners Steve Lofton and Roger Croteau. The two have been deemed "unfit" by the state of Florida to adopt the five children they have raised since birth -- even though they were viewed as capable foster parents for the "unwanted" children born HIV positive. When one of the children - now a teenager -- is found to be HIV-free and thus "adoptable," the state decides to remove him from the only home he has known. The film is produced and directed by Michel Horvat and was acquired for SHOWTIME from All Channel Films.
JACK (June 19 at 4:05 p.m.CST), the Emmy(r) and GLAAD(r) award-winning original movie which aired on SHOWTIME in 2004, stars Anton Yelchin (SHOWTIME's HUFF) in the title role. Jack is a 15-year-old boy who must come to terms with his parents' divorce and the revelation that his father is gay. Stockard Channing ("The West Wing," "Six Degrees of
Separation") and Ron Silver ("The West Wing," "Reversal of Fortune") play his parents. Jack, already struggling with the usual adolescent demons, must fight the gay- bashing he encounters at school and come to terms with his family. JACK was directed by Lee Rose, from the screenplay by A.M. Homes based upon her novel, and is a Daniel L. Paulson/Susan Rose/Ellen M. Krass production.DAMAGED GOODS (June 14 at 9 p.m. CST) is a one-hour documentary which explores the lives of five people living with a stigmatized disease in a judgmental society. It follows them from the moment they are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS through treatment and acceptance. The film features interviews with some of today's prominent medical authorities and activists in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The film is produced and directed by Nadia Buckmire, with Rahi High also producing.
SHOOK (June 28 at 9:40 p.m. CST) is a dramatic short film about a woman who discovers her husband is bi-sexual and that she is pregnant. With concerns for the child, she gets tested for HIV and attempts to understand her husband's relationship with a male friend and its impact on their marriage. This film, directed and produced by Melanie RW Oram, first aired on SHOWTIME in February during the 2005 Black Filmmakers Showcase.
QUEER AS FOLK (Sundays at 9 p.m. CST) Featuring four all-new episodes in the month of June, this award-winning series will continue to explore cutting-edge social and political issues that affect the gay community. This season gay rights issues, such as gay marriage, are explored with a sensitivity and candor rarely seen on television. Starring are Michelle Clunie, Robert Gant, Thea Gill, Gale Harold, Randy Harrison, Scott Lowell, Peter Paige, Hal Sparks and Sharon Gless with special guest appearances by Rosie O'Donnell and Cyndi Lauper. QUEER AS FOLK is executive produced by Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman and Tony Jonas. Cowen & Lipman developed the series for American television based on the British series created by Russell T Davies. Sheila Hockin serves as producer. The SHOWTIME series is from Cowlip Productions, Tony Jonas Productions and Temple Street Productions.
Be sure to watch the new local GLBT TV Show, Out & About Today on NewsChannel5+, cable channel 50, at 10 p.m. on Sunday folloiwng Queer As Folk.