“Equal” – four-part docuseries pays tribute to early LGBTQ+ pioneers, part of Hollywood Suite’s Queer Cinema collection

Hollywood Suite is proud to present the Canadian premiere of the four-part HBO Max Original docuseries Equal as the cornerstone of its Pride programming for the month of June. Available exclusively on Hollywood Suite in Canada, Equal will make its debut with episode one “The Birth of the Movement” on Monday, June 7 at 9pm ET. Subsequent episodes will premiere Mondays through June 28, with each episode available on demand the day following its broadcast premiere. The premiere broadcast of each episode will be followed by a feature film from the Hollywood Suite Queer Cinema collection.

Narrated by Emmy and Tony Award winner Billy Porter (Pose), Equal pays tribute to the epic original stories of the LGBTQ+ movement. This four-part docuseries captures the gripping and true backstories of the leaders and unsung heroes who changed the course of history through their tireless activism. The star-studded cast (which includes Cheyenne Jackson, Anthony Rapp, Shannon Purser, Heather Matarazzo, Jamie Clayton, Isis King, Samira Wiley and Gale Harold) plays a handful of activists recognized for their unrelenting fight for justice and equality in the Queer community of post-war America and pre-Stonewall uprising.

Episode 1 – The Birth of a Movement

Broadcast premiere Monday, June 7 at 9pm ET, Available on demand Tuesday, June 8

In response to a repressive 1950s culture that considers homosexuality illegal and immoral, two iconic gay rights groups organize, fight back, and lay the foundation for the modern LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. 

The episode 1 premiere will be followed by the Hollywood Suite premiere of Luca Guadagnino’s Oscar, BAFTA and Spirit Award-winning film Call Me by Your Name (2017).

Episode 2 – Transgender Pioneers

Broadcast premiere Monday, June 14 at 9pm ET, Available on demand Tuesday, June 15

The incredible stories of three trans trailblazers from across the ages help illuminate the significance of the 1966 uprising at San Francisco’s Compton’s Cafeteria. 

The episode 2 premiere will be followed by Colette (2018) and Kinsey (2004).

Episode 3 – Black is Beautiful, Gay is Good!

Broadcast premiere Monday, June 21 at 9pm ET , Available on demand Tuesday, June 22

We meet three very different activists whose lives and work epitomized the intersection of gay and civil rights in the 1960s: Lorraine Hansberry, Bayard Rustin, and José Sarria. 

The episode 3 premiere will be followed by Moonlight (2016).

Episode 4 – Stonewall: From Rebellion to Liberation

Broadcast premiere Monday, June 28 at 9pm ET, Available on demand Tuesday, June 29

The events of the historic Stonewall Uprising are told through the voices of the activists and icons who were there, and who helped usher in a new era of being, out, proud, and EQUAL. 

The episode 4 premiere will be followed by the Hollywood Suite premiere of Xavier Dolan’s Cannes Grand Prix, César and Canadian Screen Award winner Juste la Fin du Monde (2016) and A Single Man (2009).

Equal is executive produced by Emmy Award-winning Scout Productions, Emmy nominated Greg Berlanti Productions, Emmy Award-winning producer Jim Parsons and That’s Wonderful Productions, Jon Jashni of Raintree Ventures and Warner Horizon Unscripted Television’s New Documentary Unit. Acclaimed filmmaker and producer Stephen Kijak (Sid & Judy) is the showrunner and director of episodes one, three and four of Equal, alongside groundbreaking trans director Kimberly Reed (Prodigal Sons), who directs episode two.

Additional titles available On Demand as part of Hollywood Suite’s Queer Cinema collection include The Children’s Hour (1962), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), The Times of Harvey Milk (1984), The Color Purple (1985), My Beautiful Laundrette (1986), Paris is Burning (1990), My Own Private Idaho (1991), The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (1994), The Celluloid Closet (1995), The Birdcage (1996), Fire (1996), Mulholland Dr. (2001), Brokeback Mountain (2005), Closet Monster (2015) and Sleeping Giant (2015).