From Bill Kelley:
Channel 11 will premiere a new documentary, “Out & Proud in Chicago,” on Tuesday, June 3, at 7:30 p.m. It’s a history of gay life in Chicago, told largely through a few people’s personal stories–though of course no 90-minute show can possibly include everything. Right before the premiere, the producers will be interviewed on Channel 11’s “Chicago Tonight” at 7 p.m. A short clip from the documentary is online at http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=43,4 , in case you’re not in Chicago to see the actual show.
Later in the summer, the documentary will be joined by a colorful new book, “Out and Proud in Chicago,” edited by Tracy Baim, which I helped to copy-edit. Tracy has also just soft-launched an ongoing Web project at http://www.chicagogayhistory.com .
You’ll see a little bit of me and maybe other people you know on the Channel 11 show, as well as an article on Chen and me in the book (plus articles on a lot of other people, places, and things).
I saw a preview of the Channel 11 documentary a couple of nights ago, and I think you might like the show if you’re in position to watch. Besides the June 3 premiere, it will be rebroadcast by Channel 11 on Monday, June 9, at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, June 15, at 8 p.m. (If you get Channel 11’s digital channel, which is Channel 191 on Comcast’s cable service, it will also be rebroadcast on Wednesday, June 18, at 9 p.m.; Thursday, June 19, at 1 a.m., 5 a.m., 9 a.m., and 1 p.m.; Friday, June 20, at 10 p.m.; and Saturday, June 21, at 3 a.m., 8 a.m., and 1 p.m.)
The Channel 11 show will be part of the station’s pledge drive, and for the first time in the history of such pledge drives, the pledge breaks will include remote live segments on Tuesday night– from Sidetrack, where a crowd will gather to watch the show and take part in the pledging. Sidetrack says everyone’s welcome to join the crowd Tuesday night and maybe be on TV.
