Watch: Lost 1961 homosexuality doco unearthed

A long-lost documentary on homosexuality has been found after more than five decades.

First broadcast on KQED on September 11 1961, The Rejected is believed to be the first US TV documentary of its kind, and the fascinating footage has now been put online for public consumption after a six-year hunt by archivists, KQED News has revealed.

Originally titled The Gay Ones, the documentary had a budget of $100 and was considered progressive for its time, examining the lives and struggles of gay men in a society where homosexuality was still illegal.

The documentary hears testimonials from gay men themselves about the discrimination they face. In one of the first times American viewers had ever been presented with open examples of homosexuality, one of the men argues they are “no different than anyone else”.

The programme opens with KQED Station Manager James Day telling viewers: “The programme you’re about to see deals with a subject which is controversial, delicate, and to some, downright unpleasant,” before going on to hear from a range of experts including Dr. Karl Bowman, former President of the American Psychiatric Association, Bishop James Pike and Rabbi Alvin Fine.

Indeed, as you’d expect in 1961, the language isn’t particular pleasant, but if you’re in the mood for a rare and fascinating slice of gay history, you can watch the documentary in full here.

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