Vito Russo

IN THE LIFE profiles the late author, and activist, Vito Russo, best remembered as co-founder of GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), and as author of the book, The Celluloid Closet.

Center Spaces

All communities need spaces to gather and find their voice. After the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion, literally thousands of LGBT organizations came into existence. IN THE LIFE explores the history of gay spaces, how each found its distinctive voice, and celebrates the 25th anniversary of the first LGBT Center to provide a permanent space for all of those voices to come together.

Historical Photos by

Photographer Bettye Lane

Political Science

In America, until the late 1800's, homosexuality was generally viewed as a sin, a perversion of nature, and a crime. In 1864 it became an acceptable subject for scientific study. IN THE LIFE goes back to look at the early scientific and medical debates that would influence the "body-politic" over the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Family Matters

Children everywhere are growing up with gay and lesbian parents, and like most families, they have their struggles. In Family Matters, IN THE LIFE spends some time with a few "out-and-proud" families that are finding community in organizations like COLAGE.

Kramer on Kramer

Larry Kramer continues to be one of the most outspoken and controversial figures in the gay movement. As the founder of ACT UP, he was a lightning rod for AIDS activism; as an author, his novels and plays confronted the AIDS crisis, and captured the gay social conscience.

"Real to Reel": Parting Glances

In 1986, Parting Glances hit theaters as one of the first films to address HIV/AIDS and the complexities of gay relationships; now it's a classic of queer cinema. Twenty years later, AIDS continues to spread in all communities, but thanks to the Outfest Legacy Project, this seminal work has been preserved to continue educating, informing and putting human faces to the disease.