Episode 27: Coming Out (1979)

Should the LGBT+ community assimilate or rebel? Lewis, a closeted writer, argues for assimilation in an anonymous editorial. His friends push against his conservative views. Coming Out aired in 1979 as part of the BBC’s Play for Today series. The argument still resonates today.


This episode includes spoilers. Coming Out can be watched on Britbox.

I couldn’t find a trailer. But here’s a relevant gay protest song from that same year.

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Episode 26: Like It Is (1998)

Rainbow Colored Glasses starts season four with a look at Paul Oremland’s 1998 film Like It Is. A boxer from Blackpool falls for a music promoter from London. The promoter’s snobby friends try to break them up. I enjoyed this film. My guest did not.


This episode includes spoilers and explicit language.

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Episode 25: Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971)

Harry Styles recently starred in My Policeman. A film about a man juggling relationships with a woman and another man. This inspired me to revisit John Schlesinger’s classic Sunday Bloody Sunday. One of my guests was seeing it for the first time. The other saw it when it premiered in 1971.

This is our season three finale. Rainbow Colored Glasses will be taking a hiatus while we work on some other projects. Thank you for listening.

This episode includes spoilers.

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Episode 24: It Is Not the Homosexual… (1971)

We discuss a short film with a long title: It Is Not the Homosexual Who Is Perverse, But the Society in Which He Lives. Activist Rosa von Praunheim read Berlin’s gay community for filth. His political manifesto remains timely.  

This episode includes spoilers and explicit language.

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Episode 21: Gods and Monsters (1998)

Gods and Monsters examines the unlikely friendship between Hollywood director James Whale (Ian McKellen) and his naïve yard man (Brendan Fraser). My guest and I revisit Bill Condon’s ambitious tragicomedy.

This episode includes spoilers.

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Episode 20: Penda’s Fen (1974)

Penda’s Fen aired on with the BBC’s Play for Today series on March 21, 1974. David Rudkin’s screenplay follows a gay teen on an Alice in Wonderland style journey through England’s pagan past. My guest and I attempt to parse Rudkin’s thoughts on religion, sexuality, social conformity and rebellion.

This episode includes spoilers.

The Incubus

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Episode 19: After School Specials (1987)

After School specials featured young people dealing with problems. They could be earnest to the point of camp. In 1987 two specials were filmed that discussed sexuality. What if I’m Gay? aired on CBS. Two of Us was censored by the BBC and pushed to a late night spot. It wouldn’t get a daytime airing till 1990. My guests and I discuss the mixed messages these specials send to their target audience.

This episode includes spoilers.

What if I’m Gay?

Welcome to season three!

Two of Us

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Episode 18: Zero Patience (1993)

In 1984 French Canadian flight attendant Gaétan Dugas was falsely accused of bringing H.I.V. to America. He was dubbed “Patient Zero.” In 1993 John Greyson wrote and directed a movie musical about the myth. Zero Patience is raunchy, surreal and political. A sharp contrast to the film Philadelphia that it premiered alongside. I’ve grown to love it. My guest was not a fan.

This episode includes spoilers and strong language.

And that concludes season two! Thank you so much for listening!

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