A restored copy of the first full-length American documentary made by LGBT people about Pride parades in the United States.
In 1977 one of the pioneers of gay cinema filmmakers, Arthur J. Bressan Jr., recruited film crews across the country to document Pride parades in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
The film also includes rare footage from the first New York Pride parade in 1970 and the first San Francisco parade in 1972, as well as interviews with activists and participants. The film illustrates the anger of the LGBT community in the wake of Anita Bryant’s homophobic campaign and the hate crimes against the community that followed. At the same time, the film also illustrates the immense power and importance of the parades.
“Gay USA” offers a spectacular, vibrant, and beautiful collage of an incredible year in history of the gay community. The film conveys a strong message of hope and also of the victorious power of love.