BBC commemorates 50 years of Pride with collection of LGBTQ+ titles across TV & radio

From music, history, documentary and entertainment, the BBC is bringing together a comprehensive collection of titles on TV and Radio that focus on the LGBTQ+ experience to commemorate 50 years of Pride.

Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer, BBC said: “To mark the 50th Anniversary of Pride, we are bringing audiences a range of content across a multitude of genres. Whether you want to watch or listen live on TV or Radio, or dive into the collection on iPlayer or download on BBC Sounds, this comprehensive collection of LGBTQ+ content will begin on the BBC in June.”

On TV, programmes will run throughout June on BBC Two, BBC Three and BBC Four with titles available as a dedicated collection on iPlayer. Whilst Radio includes the Loud and Proud season on BBC Radio 6Music plus podcasts and series on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer, says: “To mark the 50th Anniversary of Pride, we are bringing audiences a range of content across a multitude of genres. Whether you want to watch or listen live on TV or Radio, or dive into the collection on iPlayer or download on BBC Sounds, this comprehensive collection of LGBTQ+ content will begin on the BBC in June.”

TV

On BBC Two, AIDS: In Our Own Words is a three-part documentary series that tells the story of the British AIDS crisis as it’s never been heard before. It will be broadcast to mark the 40th anniversary of the death of Terry Higgins, one of the first people to die of an AIDS-related illness in the UK.

When HIV emerged in Britain in the 80s, a small group of pioneering researchers began recording audio interviews with infected gay men and their friends. These interviews – a frank and intimate account of life at the heart of the AIDS epidemic – were archived at the British Library and have never been broadcast before. The series brings them to life by using young actors who lip sync to the original voice recordings.

For the next instalment of Amol Rajan Interviews, he will speak to legendary tennis player and social activist Billie Jean King about her life and career.

BBC Two will also air two music compilation programmes, LGBTQ at the BBC featuring performances from George Michael, Divine, Queen, Janelle Monae, Boy George, Hazell Deane, Cristine and the Queens, The Gossip, MNEK, KD Lang, Lil Nas X and more plus the 2019 celebratory compilation show, Pride Hits at the BBC.

Other content on BBC Two includes a repeat of Pride Live at the Apollo featuring comedians such as: Fern Brady, Desiree Burch, Alan Carr, Eddie Izzard, Joe Lycett, Zoe Lyons, Tom Allen, Stephen K Amos, Jen Brister, Julian Clary, Suzi Ruffell and Gina Yashere and the 2014 BBC film Pride, where gay activists supported the miner strike.

BBC Three will show the new series Big Proud Party Agency featuring Ryan Lanji, Teddy Edwardes and Christopher Mills who compete to throw epic events for best friends in need of a celebration. From surprise proposals and wrestling comebacks to the ultimate 18th, each episode sees the ‘party agents’ challenged to create an extravagant one-off event for someone with something important to commemorate.

BBC Three will also be airing LGBTQ+ titles including Olly Alexander: Growing Up Gay, Lily: A Transgender Story, Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud and series one of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

BBC Four will be showing two new documentaries including Into My Name: Storyville and Gateways Grind.

Into My Name is a coming-of-age story about four friends who share important turning points in their lives and in their gender transitions.

Nico is 33 years-old, Leo is 30, Andrea 25 and Raff 23: They come from different parts of Italy. They start their gender transition at different times in their lives. Day by day, they boldly face all the obstacles of a strictly binary world. To achieve a fulfilling and dignified life is a matter of survival. They need to be resolute, infinitely patient and can’t hope to get by without seeing the funny side of the whole matter. Directed by Nicolò Bassetti and produced by Nicolò Bassetti, Lucia Nicolai and Marcello Paolillo. Executive producers are Elliot Page and Gaia Morrione.

Gateways Grind is the first ever documentary about the iconic Gateways Club, probably the most famous lesbian club in the world, to see and hear from the women who found friends, sex and love in a small basement club just off the Kings Road in swinging Chelsea.

Presented by well-known writer and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig who traces her first visit to the ‘Gates’ and follows the quest to commemorate its important place in lesbian history.

Also on BBC Four is Jeanette Winterson’s screenplay adaptation of her novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, Mark Gatiss’ monologues Queers, Prejudice and Pride: The People’s History Of LGBTQ Britain, Coming Oot! A Fabulous History of Gay Scotland, Time and Again and Queer as Art.

BBC Four will also have a LGBTQ+ themed Friday music night.

Radio

BBC Radio 4 will broadcast Ziggy Stardust at 50 which looks at how David Bowie’s creation of the androgynous Ziggy Stardust had a profound effect on his career and allowed him to emerge as a pop prophet, gay rights champion, and cultural icon. And in Fifty Years of Pride, which marks fifty years since the first Gay Pride march in London, Damian Barr looks at what Pride represented at the time, its metamorphosis over time and what it has become for today’s campaigners.

For BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds, singer Sam Smith presents A Positive Life: HIV from Terrence Higgins to Today. This eight-part series, commissioned by BBC Wales, uncovers the little known story of Terry Higgins’ life and examines how life with HIV has drastically changed since the AIDS crisis of the 80s and 90s – meeting people who helped fight for treatments that changed the face of HIV, as well as those who are now working to end stigma for all people living with HIV.

BBC Sounds also features Bi-People, four special episodes from hosts of BBC Sounds podcast Bad People. Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen, exploring bi-sexuality. Julia is the author of a book ‘bi’, covering the hidden culture, history and science of bi-sexuality, and both presenters are openly bi-sexual. In addition, Building Queertopia, a series that launched last June with 37 episodes now available on BBC Sounds, where Chelcee Grimes and Shane Jenek (Courtney Act) build their perfect queer utopia. Chelcee and Shane are joined by a special guest for each episode, who contributes their own ideals to create their imagined inclusive world. No topic is off limits, as the podcast provides a space for guests to explore everything from politics, music and fashion to social etiquette when considering their perfect society for everyone to be their true selves. Everyone is welcome in Queertopia.

BBC Radio 6 Music’s Loud and Proud season celebrates LGBTQ+ voices throughout June with a range of special shows, guest presenters and mixes.

On Thursday 2 June, presenters from 5am-7pm will play tracks selected by some of 6 Music’s favourite LGBTQ+ artists, including Big Freedia, Desire Marea, Lava La Rue, Lucy Dacus, Lynks, Marika Hackman, Mykki Blanco, Planningtorock and Soak. All these artists will introduce their chosen track and celebrate the LGBTQ+ musicians behind the songs they have picked, explaining why these musicians have inspired or influenced them. Plus there’ll be upbeat tunes and music from many more LGBTQ+ artists played across the day. Listeners can also go to BBC Sounds to find The Loud and Proud Playlist – a one-hour programme, featuring all tracks and their introductory voice recordings that will be broadcast across the day today.

On Friday 3 June, each daytime show (5am-7pm) will end with a 30 minute mix from an LGBTQ+ artist. Mixes across the day will come from Skunk Anansie’s Skin (7am), dance music project Hercules & Love Affair (10am), producer and DJ India Jordan (12.30pm), musician and songwriter Ezra Furman (3.30pm) and Bristol-based artist, Grove (6.30pm).

From 7pm-12am on Friday 3 June, 6 Music will broadcast five hour-long programmes, hosted by LGBTQ+ artists.

From 7pm-8pm, American actor, singer and author Billy Porter shares an hour of his favourite party music. He’ll be playing tracks from Donna Summer, Pete Shelley, Honey Dijon, Hercules and Love Affair, Blondie, Propellerheads and many more.

Billy Porter says: “I am thrilled to be a part of this year’s 6 Music Loud and Proud season. I’ve put together a fun little mix for y’all that spans a few different vibes and times in our history. I’m sure it’s gonna get you in the spirit and ready to march and party. And kids remember to learn your history. The first LGBTQ march to happen in the UK was all the way back in 1972 in London… so it’s the 50th anniversary this year of the UK LGBTQ civil rights movement. Stay proud and stay LOUD and let’s keep moving that history and spirit-forward together this pride season.

Later, drag-pop artist Lynks and Erasure’s Andy Bell (8pm-9pm), Charity Kase of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (9pm-10pm), American rapper Cakes Da Killa (10pm-11pm) and Glasgow performer and DJ TAAHLIAH (11pm-12am) play some of their favourite party tracks.

From 1pm-2pm on Sunday 12 June, Deep Dive Into Queer Country is a documentary exploring how the country genre has a long-standing, though little-known, queer history. Journeying from the past to the present day, the programme will shine a light on the scene’s radical pioneers, as well as the recent explosion of contemporary LGBTQ+ country artists that are keeping the genre alive. Hosted by writer, pop music professor and queer country expert, Dr. Shana Goldin-Perschbacher, the programme will be an empowering hour of music and speech that reflects on how country music connects with the queer experience, the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ artists in the industry, the rise in diversity and representation as well as music’s unifying and storytelling power. The documentary will feature interviews and archive from Patrick Haggerty of Lavendar Country. k.d. lang, Lil Nas X, Amythyst Kiah, Grace Petrie, Tommy Atkins and Rachel Cholst.

Other Loud and Proud highlights coming up across June include: a brand new series of 6 Music’s Artist In Residence from American musician Perfume Genius (beginning Wednesday 8 June, 12am-1am); special shows from Sacred Paws (Monday 13 – Thursday 16 June, 7pm-9pm) and Kae Tempest (Monday 13 – Thursday 16 June, 9pm-12am) and 6 Music Artist Collections, celebrating Janelle Monae (Tuesday 31 May, 12am-5am), Skunk Anansie (Tuesday 7 June, 12am-5am), St. Vincent (Tuesday 14 June, 12am-5am), Pet Shop Boys (Tuesday 21 June, 12am-5am) and Courtney Barnett (Tuesday 28 June, 12am-5am).