Independence Day last year was supposed to be the first day of filming for Ilana Trachtman.
She got the green light from WHYY and the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, which was funding the project, for a documentary on LGBT rights pegged to the 50th anniversary of the Annual Reminders, an early gay-rights protest in Philadelphia.
But then, in a 5-4 decision last June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled marriage for same-sex couples was a constitutional right.
“We actually had to scramble to get some of the Decision Day rallies covered,” said Trachtman, who produced and directed the documentary. “That was a great gift and makes the film that much more timely.”
Called “The Pursuit: 50 Years in the Fight for LGBT Rights,” the film premieres 9 p.m. June 23 on WHYY.
WHYY, Equality Forum and Independence Visitor Center Corporation will hold the national premiere of the film 5:30 p.m. June 16 at Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market St.
Trachtman decided to tell the story in four parts: “Kids Today,” about four kids who are LGBT and homeless; “Out at Work,” highlighting changes in the Philadelphia Police Department; “In a Family Way,” which focuses on LGBT families; and “No Place Like Home,” spotlighting the first out generation growing old.
“To get to these four stories, we probably researched 75,” Trachtman said. “The most challenging thing was trying to be as inclusive as possible of the LGBT community. We sort of lump it together in our consciousness as one monolithic thing. It’s not.”
She said she created an informal team of advisors who recommended readings and films.
“I found the community incredibly generous,” Trachtman said. “Not only did they take my calls, they spent hours with me and recommended other people.”
Trachtman said she was especially moved by the stories of men with HIV who never expected to live more than six months, and now it’s decades later. The stories shared by transgender people also stuck with her. Trachtman talked with one woman who decided to have gender-confirmation surgery in the 1970s, and a man who served 16 years with the Philadelphia police before he came out.
“We really don’t learn about the struggle for gay and trans rights,” Trachtman said. “I hope both LGBT and non-LGBT people have their eyes opened. I hope people have great respect for this journey.”