Gay USA


Gay USA is a weekly one-hour news program "...devoted to in-depth coverage of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues" on a local, state, national, and international level. It is taped in the studios of, and aired by, Manhattan Neighborhood Network in Manhattan, New York. It airs on Manhattan Public-access television cable TV and Free Speech TV, and is available worldwide as a podcast at the show's website or to subscribe via iTunes.

Current format

Typically, Gay USA begins with a quick introduction by hosts Andy Humm and Ann Northrop then moves into news segments as viewed from the gay perspective. Regular segments include gay news, AIDS news, and entertainment news. The anchors refer to notes kept in front of them on the table during this portion of the show. Hosts Humm and Northrop often interject their news delivery with accounts of personal experiences and "...light, snappy repartee and good-natured verbal sparring and banter." Following the news topics of the week, guests are interviewed and/or videos clips are presented for the second half of the show. Bill Bahlman, Associate Producer of Gay USA posts a weekly Podcast edition of the show which is available on iTunes and from the show's official website GayUSATV.org

History

Gay USA was preceded by Pride and Progress which first aired in 1985 on the Gay Cable Network. Independently produced and supported by GCN owner Lou Maletta, Pride and Progress was hosted by journalist/activist Andy Humm. The program covered LGBTQ topics, including the Democratic and Republican National Conventions from a gay perspective.
In 1996, journalist/activist Ann Northrop began co-hosting Gay USA with Humm.
Bill Bahlman, Associate Producer of Gay USA has a long history as an LGBT Activist. Organizations he served with or helped found include the Gay Activists Alliance, GLAAD, CLGR, The Lavender Hill Mob, and ACTUP New York.
Since September 2001, the show has aired on Manhattan Neighborhood Network. In 2003, Gay USA became nationally available through Free Speech TV. Podcasts of the show became available in 2006.
On 21 February 2012 episode, show guest Daniel O'Donnell surprised hosts Andy Humm and Ann Northrop in presenting to each Pen Certificates signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo from the 2011 New York Marriage Equality Act, stating "I know of no one in the entire country who has done more for our community than the two of you". O'Donnell, a recurring guest, had introduced the same-sex marriage bill.

Interviews and guests

Gay USA includes interviews of individuals regarding relevant projects, organizations or entertainment. Guests have ranged from an out-gay, and thus unemployed, priest to a gay male couple with adopted children to political figures and entertainers. Some of the program's notable guests have included:
Organizations involved in LGBTQ rights and information dissemination have also been represented on the show by various guests. These include:
Frequently, the folks who work on and/or for Gay USA refer to themselves as the "Gay USA Team." In alphabetical order, the team currently consists of:
  • Bill Bahlman – associate producer, photographer, archivist and activist
  • Andy Humm – host, journalist/activist
  • Ann Northrop – host, journalist/activist
  • Rich Speziale – studio Director

    Guest co-hosts

Guest co-hosts who have filled in for either Humm or Northrop include: