June is LGBTQ Pride Month! You can celebrate by watching PBS documentaries, films and shorts made by and for the LGBTQ community. We’ve picked out a few of our favorites to help you get started.
Little Richard: The King and Queen of Rock and Roll
This documentary by American Masters explores the story of Little Richard, a fearless pioneer of rock and roll who broke the color barrier in the 1950s with hits like “Tutti Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally.” The star often struggled with his sexuality, but was known for defying societal expectations with his electrifying performances.
Stream the documentary now on Arizona PBS Passport. Learn how to download the app here.
Mama Bears
An Independent Lens documentary, Mama Bears follows a group of former evangelical Christian mothers who are now fierce defenders of the LGBTQ community and their own children who are apart of it. These “mama bears” are willing to risk everything – including friends, family and faith communities – in order to protect their children.
Stream the documentary now on Arizona PBS Passport. Learn how to download the app here.
Casa Susanna
In the 1950s and 60s, transgender women and men dressing in drag found sanctuary at a house in the Catskills region of New York, run by transgender woman Susanna Valenti. During a time when such expression was criminalized, Valenti created a space where women and men alike felt safe to be themselves. This American Experience documentary explores the history of the house, as well as the life of the woman who it was named after.
Stream the documentary now on Arizona PBS Passport. Learn how to download the app here.
Fanny: The Right to Rock
Co-founded by Filipina American and queer teenagers in the 1960s, Fanny is the first all-women band to release an album with a major record label. Despite being dubbed the “female Beatles” and receiving praise from David Bowie, the band largely stayed in obscurity. Now, this documentary highlights the band’s past while chronicling their revival.
Stream the documentary now on Arizona PBS Passport. Learn how to download the app here.
Daytripper
This silent short film created by dancer James Whiteside shows a man reminiscing about the day he met the love of his life on Fire Island Pines. Through music and dance, the film explores the serendipity of falling in love without a single word being spoken.
Stream the film now on Arizona PBS Passport. Learn how to download the app here.
A Run for More
This documentary follows Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe as she campaigns to be the first openly transgender elected official in Texas. Frankie’s campaign comes amid a nationwide onslaught of legal attacks against the trans community, forcing her to find her voice and stand up for herself and others.
Watch the documentary now online.
Senior Prom
In Hollywood, California, a retirement community LGBTQ retirees throws a prom for its residents who didn’t get to experience their high school prom as their truest selves. Triangle Square creates a celebration for older members of the LGBTQ community who spent their lives fighting for the right to love openly.
Watch the short film online now.
Gladys Bentley: Gender-Bending Performer and Musician
Gladys Bentley became a staple in the Harlem Renaissance jazz scene as a pianist and singer. She was known for performing in tuxedos, writing lesbian-themed lyrics and flirting with women in the audience of her shows. This documentary from American Masters chronicles her rise to fame and her struggles with sexuality.
Stream the documentary now on Arizona PBS Passport. Learn how to download the app here.
Our League
This documentary from Independent Lens follows Michelle Guzowski as she returns to her beloved bowling alley from a hiatus she took after coming out as a trans woman. The alley has new owners who have promised Michelle a welcoming space, but some of the old school bowlers aren’t so open minded.
Watch the film online now.
L.A.: A Queer History
This two part series explores the beginnings of gay culture in Los Angeles, from artists and impersonators to protests and uprisings. A Queer History highlights the early figures of the LGBTQ movement in Hollywood through photos and retellings.
Watch the series online now.
Prideland
Follow queer actor Dyllón Burnside through the American South to meet members of the LGBTQ community who are authentically themselves despite the ongoing challenges they face every day. Meet a lesbian rodeo champion in Texas, an openly gay pastor in Mississippi and many more LGBTQ people living with pride.
Stream the documentary now on Arizona PBS Passport. Learn how to download the app here.
Mama Gloria
A feature documentary about Gloria Allen, a Black trans woman in her 70s who started a charm school for homeless transgender youth. Now, Mama Gloria looks back on her life and legacy, showing trans youth that LGBTQ people can survive and age gracefully.
Watch the documentary online now.
For even more Arizona PBS content, check out our Watch page or TV schedule.
SPOTLIGHT
STAY in touch
with azpbs.org!
Subscribe to Arizona PBS Newsletters:
