CHANNEL 4 COMMISSION GEORGE MICHAEL AND THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
Channel 4 has commissioned Blast! Films to make Outed: George Michael and the Fight for Freedom (w/t).
A two-part documentary re-examining the watershed moment that the pop icon’s 1998 outing as a gay man and how he refused to be ashamed, speaking honestly about his sexuality, risking his career and his reputation.
Reflecting on a time when the outing of gay men in the media was commonplace, the series will tell the story of a culture war – between those who wanted to turn the clock back on gay rights and the musicians, actors, sports stars and politicians who took on the haters – and won.
In a first for British television, the documentary will use the first-person testimony from public figures who were outed by the press, as well as journalists of the era, to unpack the history of outing and the fight for LGBT people to be out, proud and free to be themselves.
Channel 4 is marking 50 years of Pride in the UK with a special season of landmark programmes and specials. This bumper season of high profile content will reflect on the incredible achievements and challenges of advancing LGBTQ+ rights and visibility over the last half century, while also platforming the diversity of identity and sexuality in the 2020s.
Louisa Compton, Head of News, Current Affairs, Specialist Factual and Sport who is overseeing the Pride season says: “Channel 4 has been responsible for more outstanding LGBTQ+ content over its 40 years than any other public service broadcaster -often commissioning content others wouldn’t touch, from award-winning dramas It’s A Sin, Queer As Folk, and Brookside to innovative factual stories including Football's Coming Out, Genderquake, and Hollyoaks: Gay Dads Forever...
“It only seems fitting that at this important moment for LGBTQ+ history in the UK we do what we’ve always done, double down on our commitment to agenda-setting programming with exciting new commissioning and All 4 firsts. The announcement today is only the start of the Channel’s year-round Pride celebration – plenty more to come in due course.“
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