HBO Max Picks Up Docu-Series Chronicling Heroes of LGBTQ+ Movement

HBO Max, a sure-to-be successful streaming service courtesy of WarnerMedia, will be paying tribute to the origin stories of the LGBTQ+ movement, chronicling the forgotten events and heroes of the community pre-Stonewall. The four-part docu-series will capture the gripping and true backstories of leaders and unsung heroes, who gave a voice in matters that were life or death. 

According to HBO Max, each hour-long episode will play like a thriller as it brings to life the high stakes that these historical figures went through to voice their struggles. The people that viewers will likely be introduced to are Harry Hay, an activist and founder of the modern day gay rights movement; The Daughters of Bilitis, a lesbian civil and political rights organization; Christine Jorgensen, a transgender woman who publicly transitioned; and Bayard Rustin, a gay and African-American rights leader. Episode four will cover the entirety of the Stonewall Riots as well as the first Pride which took place a year after the riot.

“It’s time to share their historic tales,” said Jennifer O’Connell, Executive Vice President of Original Non-fiction and Kids Programming. The series will be a collaboration between Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory” and “The Normal Heart”), Scout Productions (“The Fog of War” and “Queer Eye”), Berlanti Productions’ Greg Berlanti (“Love, Simon” and “Riverdale”), as well as producers from “Special” and “Lost in Space.”

“We could not have more perfect partners,” O’Connell adds. We couldn’t agree more.

By Michael Jacobo

Photo: HBO Max