Disney are stepping-up their game (gasps of “ABOUT TIME”) for the LGBT+ community of late.

Earlier this year they revealed plans to steer their parks (and company) in new gender inclusive direction and today they announced a UK release date for PRIDE, a six-part docuseries chronicling the struggle of LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.

PRIDE sees six renowned LGBTQ+ directors explore heroic and heart-breaking stories that document America’s queer history. 

The limited series has a pretty wide scope, spanning FBI surveillance of homosexuals during the 1950s Lavender Scare to the “Culture Wars” of the 1990s and beyond, exploring the queer legacy of the Civil Rights movement and the battle over marriage equality.

Featuring lesser-known characters such as Madeleine Tress or 1980s videographer Nelson Sullivan who chronicled a vanishing downtown New York City during the AIDS epidemic, the series also features international figures such as Civil Rights pioneer Bayard Rustin, writer Audre Lord and Senators Tammy Baldwin and Lester Hunt.

The evolution of trans rights and identities through the decades is charted through interviews and archival footage of pioneers including Christine Jorgensen, Flawless Sabrina, Ceyenne Doroshow, Susan Stryker, Kate Bornstein, Dean Spade and Raquel Willis.

Here’s a quick look at the trailer:

And here’s a synopsis of each episode from Disney themselves… 

Episode 1 – “1950s: People Had Parties”

“A revealing look at the vibrant and full lives lived by queer people in the 1950s amidst a steep rise in governmental regulations against the LGBTQ+ community led by Senator Joseph McCarthy, who ushered in an era of government-sanctioned persecution. Directed by Tom Kalin.”

Episode 2 – “1960s: Riots & Revolutions”

“Even before Stonewall, Pride took root in the 1960s when lesser-known heroes from marginalized communities, including queer girls of color and trans women, played an integral role in the advancement of the movement. Through activism and protest, small and large, the LGBTQ+ community struggled for rights, acceptance and equality. Directed by Andrew Ahn.”

Episode 3 – “1970s: The Vanguard of Struggle”

“In this personal journey, Cheryl Dunye interweaves archival footage, personal testimonies and interviews to show how the 1970s helped forge a national movement, from the first Gay Pride march, to the rise of artists like filmmaker Barbara Hammer and poet Audre Lorde, to the confrontation of intersectional feminism and the backlash and opposition from the religious right. Directed by Cheryl Dunye.”

Episode 4 – 1980s: Underground
“New York City in the 1980s, reinvigorated by the prior era’s sexual revolution and the ascendance of the Gay Liberation Front, saw an influx of queer people to downtown Manhattan and the rise of the underground ball scene. At the same time, the AIDS epidemic devastated the gay community as Ronald Reagan and his Moral Majority refused to intervene. Directed by Anthony Caronna and Alex Smith.”

Episode 5 – 1990s: The Culture Wars

“The 1990s were supposed to herald a new era for the LGBTQ+ community. With the election of Bill Clinton, they finally had an ally in the White House – or so they thought. The Culture Wars were in full swing, and being fought everywhere from Capitol Hill to movie theaters to churches. They devastated communities but also galvanized LGBTQ+ people to create policies and organizations that still fight for equality today. Directed by Yance Ford.”

Episode 6 – “2000s: Y2Gay”

“The 2000s ushered in a new age of queer visibility where gays and lesbians were gaining acceptance in the mainstream media. But even as cisgender white members of the LGBTQ+ community found a place in society, the struggle for trans rights continued, and that fight has only in the present day taken the main stage. Directed by Ro Haber.”

All six episodes of “PRIDE” will arrive on Disney+ in the UK and Ireland on Friday June 25th

On a lighter Disney note, you know we all love a good Disney villain, so you should absolutely take some time to find out which one you’d be with the GLUE ‘Which Disney villain would you be?’ QUIZ! Let us know you get in the comments (I got Ursula which is a fair appraisal tbh)