EQUAL: LGBTQ DOCUDRAMA
Samira Wiley, Billy Porter Reenact Queer History
Most of us know the events surrounding the Stonewall rebellion, where LGBTQ people advocated for their rights. But do you know much about queer history before 1969? HBO Max’s four-part docudrama Equal aims to educate and entertain audiences via LGBTQ history.
The show features narration from Billy Porter and a lot of talent, including Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale), Cheyenne Jackson (American Horror Story), Anthony Rapp (Rent), Sara Gilbert (Roseanne), Shannon Purser (Stranger Things), Heather Matarazzo (Welcome to the Dollhouse), Jamie Clayton (Sense8), Isis King (When They See Us), Theo Germaine (The Politician), and Gale Harold (Orange Howard).
Each of the four episodes will zero in on a specific theme and subset of the LGBTQ community. The first explores the ascent of early organizations, The Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The second episode highlighted trans-experience in the 20th century. Part three documents the Black queer movement as it grew alongside the Civil Rights Movement. Finally, the series ends with the inaugural moment of LGBTQ pride: the Stonewall Uprising.
Behind the camera are two LGTBQ pioneers: director and creator Stephen Kijak and trans-director Kimberly Reed. With the talent in front of and behind the camera, we’re sure this docudrama will entertain and inform in the best way possible.
