Here is the special day of programming  OUTtv will have for World AIDS Day Monday, December 1

The Ride, 6 x 30 minute shows. Canadian broadcast premiere 6 pm ET/3 PT

This reality documentary series follows the stories of a diverse group of cyclists taking part in the seven-day, 585-mile race AIDS/Lifecycle 4 annual race, as they struggle in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This enlightening series offers an in-depth look at some of this year’s participants, the reasons they’ve chosen to undertake this challenge, and the important and inspirational people in their lives who serve as their inspiration.

Here: Focus AIDS 4 pm ET/1 pm PT OUTtv broadcast premiere

In recognition of the 25th Anniversary of AIDS, here! focuses on the many organizations who offer support, education and assistance to the world with regards to HIV/AIDS. Xpress 2008, 11:30 pm est/8:30 pm pst, 1 x 60 minute program. OUTtv broadcast premiere. Shot in Brazil, Dominican Republic, Columbia and the USA. Staying Alive strikes back in 2008 in a bid to explore and challenge the minds of young men around the world. Addressing the role of men, the issues that surround males growing up, including paternity, machismo, pop lifestyles and violence, will all be under question as we investigate various cultures and the rules of ‘Macho’ in different regions of the Americas. From Recife (Brazil) to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), to Bogota (Columbia) to New York City (USA), Xpress gives a voice to youth activists, immigrants, film-makers, political journalists, Latin dancers, bands and artists to understand the position and influence of males in these different communities.

Staying Alive 2008- 3 part series, 2:30 pm ET/11:30 am PT OUTtv Broadcast premiere

Shot in Jamaica, this dramatised series features real-life stories highlighting sexual and social issues appealing to youth with honest discussions, amazing soundtracks and visually appealing images, shot by renowned music video director, Ras Kassa (Welcome to Jamrock – Damien Marley). Unfolding in reverse, part one features Dragga, a street-smart youth slowly becoming the guy to go to for anything. He finds himself at a crossroads, torn between his friendship with Sheldon and a girl. Part two introduces the life of Sheldon’s girlfriend and her friends. Opening at a party, the story unfolds into the myriad of risks young people find themselves exposed to, Gay or straight.

Ribbon of Hope Special 2007 (Repeat Broadcast) 60 min, 12:30 pm ET/9:30 am PT

The academy is honoring programming excellence in AIDS awareness, education, and action. The goal of this special is to celebrate television programming and people that care about AIDS, particularly in the GLBT community.
Movies and Documentaries

Rock Hudsons Home Movies, 4:30 pm ET/1:30 pm PT

Eric Farr speaks to the camera as if speaking Rock Hudson’s words from a posthumous diary. Film clips from more than 30 Hudson films illustrate ways in which his sexual orientation played out on screen. First we see tenuous and unresolved relationships with women, then clips of Rock with men, cruising and circling. Next comes pedagogical Eros: Hudson with older men. We see Rock with his sidekicks, often Tony Randall. We look in depth at comedies of sexual embarrassment and innuendo: films in which Hudson sometimes plays two characters, “macho Rock and homo Rock.” He’s masculine yet vulnerable, a hunk who needs taking care of. Last come cinematic reflections on death.

Nervous Energy… (105 minutes) 9 pm ET/6 pm PT

Tom (Cal Macaninch) is young man with AIDS living in London with his lover Ira (Alfred Molina). The disease has exaggerated Toms nervous energy and in his manic state he suddenly decides to go to Glasgow to visit the family he hasn’t seen in ten years. His brother Ian (John McGlynn) is thoroughly disgusted by his lifestyle and only his mother shows any compassion for him. The visit soon develops into a nightmare as dementia sets in and Tom’s health rapidly declines. Finally, events come to a head and Ira has no choice but to force Tom back to London, where he expects him to die at any time.

The Gift, 60 min 12 midnight ET/9:00 pm PT

Controversial and uncompromisingly frank, Louise Hogarth’s award-winning documentary looks at the alarming trend among many young gay men to actively seek infection with HIV. In revealing conversations, recently infected gay men (referred to as “bug chasers” in some circles) explain the ostracism they encountered when HIV-negative, and how mixed messages found in pharmaceutical marketing actually eroticize having the deadly virus.

The Bicycle, 10:45 pm ET/7:45 pm PT

Follow Pax Chingawale as he cycles from village to village in Zomba District, Malawi, fighting AIDS at the grassroots. An inspiring, emotional documentary about the plight of Africans dying of AIDS.

Sex Is… -90 minutes. 1 am ET/10 pm PT
(Winner – Best Gay Film Award, 1993 Berlin International Film Festival)

Marc Huestis edits interviews with 15 men, including himself, around a set of topics starting with “what is sex?” The men are gay, living in or near San Francisco. They talk about their first sexual experiences, the gay scene in San Francisco in the late 1970s, the pall cast by AIDS, the safe-sex movement, getting into serious relationships, the illness and death of partners, pornography, S/M and pain, race and stereotypes, personal fantasies, and bliss.

It’s a very interesting time here at OUTtv as our Summer production rush comes to a close and we move most of our projects into post production. For me, the most exciting of which is ‘Queer Prom.’ 

‘Queer Prom,’ is a small 3 part documentary series following the planning of a local Vancouver youth event. Every year The Centre and GAB Youth Services put on a queer prom for youth ages 13 to 25. This is the biggest of many community events the organization puts on for queer youth. It gives those graduating, or still in school the opportunity to experience one of life’s milestones as they’ve always imagined it. It is unfortunate that homophobia and intolerance still exist within our schools despite the best efforts of district wide GSA’s (Gay Straight Alliances). GAB Youth Services provides a safe place for queer youth to be themselves. This series documents the stories of the youth planning committee as they struggle through the ups and downs of pulling off the years biggest event. 

As we move into post I’m excited to be putting the pieces of this community story together!