The premiere night of a new documentary of the local LGBT community, WTTW-11's 'Out & Proud in Chicago,' was a 'huge success,' according to the program's producers.
An estimated 75,000 households tuned in for the June 3 premiere of 'Out & Proud in Chicago,' and its producers said that they were astounded by the overwhelmingly positive response from those who called in that night to pledge a donation. 'Out & Proud' is a historical perspective of Chicago's LGBT community, hosted by actress Jane Lynch, which profiles various members of the community, from the famous to the ordinary. It will air throughout Pride Month.
'We reached a lot of people,' said co-producer Alexandra Silets. 'And that was just on the first play!'
For 'Out & Proud' co-producers Dan Andries and Silets, the overwhelming response and high ratings the show received affirmed the importance of this labor of love they've dedicated themselves to for over a year.
Several straight parents approached Silets, an out lesbian, at her child's school the day after the premiere. 'They were moved,' she said. 'They were touched. I've said since the beginning that this isn't just for the gay community. This is for Chicago.'
The documentary starts at the beginning of the 19th century, and tells the history of Chicago's LGBT community though the personal stories of numerous individuals, from pianist Tony Jackson and lesbian author Valorie Taylor, to bar owner Jim Flint.
'Our idea was to make a documentary that would let people know what it has been like to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in Chicago at different points in time,' Andries said.
Both Andries and Silets conducted roughly 4,000 minutes of original interviews that had to be whittled down to 90 minutes for the on-air program. That's not counting the large amount of historical footage and documents that were gathered, as well.
'The generosity of the community was just amazing,' Silets said.
Through the documentary, Andries and Silets hope that viewers—both straight and LGBT—learn something new about this vibrant slice of Chicago history.
Andries, who is straight, called the experience 'eye-opening.'
'I'm looking at the history of the city, which I know a little bit about, from a totally different angle,' Andries said. 'I'm looking at the legacy of my own family in the city from a totally different angle. I've got family that goes back from the beginning of the 20th century here. Now, I'm looking at the city from another side and thinking about their relationship with the elements of this history that I've learn. I'm hoping that is what happens with the audience.'
Both also hope that viewers expand their minds a little bit and get rid of some of the ignorance they may have about the LGBT community.
'I do hope people think twice after seeing it,' Andries added. 'I do feel this documentary has a chance to help erase some of the ignorance.'
Even Silets, who is a member of the LGBT community, felt that she took a lot away through the experience of working on the documentary. Besides learning much more about her own history, Silets said that gained a much better understanding of the transgender experience.
'I thought I got it,' Silets said. 'I thought I understood gender identity, but this was a real lesson. If I can see my own world a little bit differently because of the work I've done—I've grown.'
The program's producers recognize that there is no way to provide viewers with a definitive history of Chicago's LGBT community in a 90-minute television program. They hope that their work inspires others to do similar projects about the history of Chicago's LGBT community.
'We think the more, the merrier,' Silets said. 'The more people start doing this kind of thing, the better and richer and deeper it is.'
Didn't catch the premiere? There are many ways to catch 'Out & Proud,' which will air throughout the month of June. Catch it on WTTW-11 Sun., June 15, at 6 p.m. The program will also air on sister station WTTWDigital at various times June 18-21. See www.wttw.com for program listings and information on how to purchase the DVD of 'Out and Proud,' which features expanded and additional footage.
A bomb threat disrupted an otherwise perfect night for the premiere. See www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Proud-debut-marred-by-bomb-threat/18516.html .
Photos of premier night at Sidetrack at www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Out-debut-at-Sidetrack/18608.html .
