Logo TV Launches LGBT Documentary Division; Initial Slate Includes Matthew Shepard Project (Exclusive)

The first six docs will focus on community trailblazers told from the perspective of family and friends

Logo TV is launching a new documentary division dedicated to untold LGBT stories, an individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap.

The division’s initial slate will include six new docs focusing on LGBT trailblazers from the perspective of their family and friends including, “Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine,” about Wyoming University student Matthew Shepard, whose brutal murder in 1998 sparked a national outcry.

“These films will not only educate and enlighten, but spark important dialogue around LGBT issues that have flown under the radar for far too long,” said Logo’s head of original programming, Pamela Post.

Other films include, “Versailles ’73: An American Revolution” about the legendary fashion face-off at the Palace of Versailles in 1973 and “Out in the Night” about four African-American lesbians charged with assault and attempted murder after being violently and sexually threatened by a man on the street.

“This year Logo celebrates its 10 year anniversary and the advancements in LGBT rights during that time have been remarkable,” said Chris McCarthy, Logo’s General Manager.  “We are honored to partner with these filmmakers to share the stories that will shape the next era of the LGBT movement for equality.”

The films will premiere on Logo and LogoTV.com each month starting in June, in time for LGBT Pride month.

The announcement comes on the heels of last fall’s “Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word,” a documentary about transgender youths which earned Logo its first daytime Emmy Award win for Outstanding Special Class Series.

“Logo Documentary Films” will debut on Monday, June 22 at 10 p.m. with ‘Out in the Night’ which will simultaneously air on PBS’ “POV.”

Here are the movie descriptions in Logo’s own words:

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“Out in the Night” (Director: Blair Dorosh-Walther)
Under the neon lights in a gay-friendly neighborhood of New York City, four young African-American lesbians are violently and sexually threatened by a man on the street. They defend themselves against him and are branded by the media as a ‘Gang of Killer Lesbians’ and subsequently charged with assault and attempted murder.

Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine

“Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine” (Director: Michele Josue)
Almost 20 years since his tragic death, Michele Josue, filmmaker and childhood friend of Matthew Shepard, interviews family, friends, and the people who knew him best in this award-winning film. Police investigators and the bartender who last saw him alive on that fateful night are also featured.

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“Out and Around” (Director: Lauren Fash and Ryan Suffern)
A young lesbian couple travels through Asia, Africa, and South America over one year to discover what “equality” means outside the West. During the trip, they get engaged and fight their own battle for acceptance with their family. Lisa Dazols and Jennifer Chang documented 120 hours of video on their journey.

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“Versailles ’73: An American Revolution” (Director: Deborah Riley Draper)
The five lions of French couture Givenchy, Dior, Ungaro, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Cardin are pitted against five upstart American designers Halston, Oscar de la Renta, Anne Klein, Stephen Burrows and Bill Blass in the legendary fashion show face-off staged at the Palace of Versailles in 1973.

Alexandre Rheaume cared for by partner Lawrence Johnson

“Gen Silent” (Director: Stu Maddux)
Those who fought the earliest battles for equality now face so much fear about discrimination in health care/long-term care that they hide their past lives, are afraid to ask for help, and die earlier. But, a small group of professionals is trying to change that. Gen Silent is told through the eyes of six LGBT seniors in Boston, Massachusetts.

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“IF PROJECT” (Director: Kathlyn Horan)
A Seattle police officer started a writing program to try and understand how inmates ended up on a criminal path. The IF Project stemmed from a collection of essays after the following question was asked: “If there was something someone could have said or done to change the path that led you here what would it have been?”

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