Alternate Channels: Queer Images on 20th-Century TV (revised edition)

PHOTO-ILLUSTRATED 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

This celebration of queer visibility on 20th-century American television goes behind the scenes to explore gay and lesbian portrayals and TV’s first few baby steps towards bi and trans inclusion.

From the 1940s to the year 2000, the portrayals progressed from invisibility to murderous stereotypes; from clichéd guest roles to leading characters on "Tales of the City," "Ellen," and "Will and Grace"; and from "deadly dykes" on "Police Woman" to a heroic lesbian couple on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Discover how these images came about, how activists fought for better representation, and how on-screen portrayals reflected the changing status of queer people in America. The author constructed his account from archival materials, more than a thousand broadcast recordings, and his interviews with scriptwriters, TV executives, and early activists.

This revised edition includes corrections, material cut from the 2000 edition, and more than 90 photographs.