Preview: In the Life

A new episode of the documentary series celebrates LGBT rights pioneers tonight

Tonight, public television stations across the country – including WHYY in Philly – will begin airing “First Class Citizens,” an episode of the documentary series In the Life honoring the groundbreaking work of pioneers in the pursuit of LGBT civil rights. As the U.S. remembers Martin Luther King’s vision of equality and the African-American civil rights movement, the show looks back at inspiring portraits of LGBT people and allies who stood up, spoke out and made a difference in the fight for full LGBT equality.

The episode highlights the contributions of openly lesbian African-American Hon. Judge Deborah Batts, former NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, and broadcaster and former National Black Justice Coalition president Keith Boykin, as well as pioneering activists Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings.

When Bond is asked about the connection between the civil rights movement and the movement for LGBT rights, he explains, “The connection is rights. Rights – that’s the key word. These are movements for rights and these are movements to insure that everyone has these rights.”

Check it out:

Or click here to watch the episode.