Premium Content:

On This Gay Day | The US version of ‘Queer as Folk’ launched

The American version of Queer as Folk began screening on this day in 2000

It’s 24 years since the US version of Queer as Folk made its debut. For five years the adventures of Michael, Brian, Justin Emmett, Ted, Lindsay and Melanie were essential viewing on Monday nights on SBS in Australia.

- Advertisement -

Based on the British show created by Russell T Davies, which was too controversial to air on Australian screens, the American version took the plot lines of the UK version and made them into their own story.

Set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania the show dived into the lives of a found family of queer characters. The pilot episode was directed by Australian filmmaker Russel Mulcahy who was one of the biggest music video directors of the 1980’s, and has gone on to become one of most successful film directors.

Queer As Folk

The series starred Gale Harold as lothario Brian Kinney, Hal Sparks played his best friend Michael Novotny, while newcomer Randy Harrison made his mark as Justin Taylor. Peter Paige portrayed Emmett Honeycutt, while Scott Lowell was Ted Schmitt. Thea Gill was Lindsey Peterson and Michelle Clunie was her partner Melanie Marcus.

Cagney and Lacey star Sharon Gless played Michael’s mother Debbie, while Robert Gant joined the show in it’s second year as Michael’s long term partner Ben Buckner – who is HIV positive.

In the years since it first aired the show has continued to find new fans, but the creators have also acknowledged there is a lack of diversity amongst the cast as all the main characters are white.

A reboot of the series arrived in 2022 but failed to recreate the magic of the original series and was cancelled after just one season.

 

Latest

Indications blessings of same-sex unions will remain under Pope Leo XIV

In a brief interview Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, the head of the Vatican's doctrine office indicated that the practice would remain.

Tasmanian political parties urged to focus on mental health and law reforms

The call comes ahead of an election forum being held later this week.

Alan Jones lawyers raise concerns over search of his phone

The broadcaster is facing 34 charges over historical offences.

STYLEAID is back and ready to raise funds for WAAC

After a seven-year hiatus, STYLEAID returns in 2025 to celebrate WAAC’s 40th anniversary.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Indications blessings of same-sex unions will remain under Pope Leo XIV

In a brief interview Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, the head of the Vatican's doctrine office indicated that the practice would remain.

Tasmanian political parties urged to focus on mental health and law reforms

The call comes ahead of an election forum being held later this week.

Alan Jones lawyers raise concerns over search of his phone

The broadcaster is facing 34 charges over historical offences.

STYLEAID is back and ready to raise funds for WAAC

After a seven-year hiatus, STYLEAID returns in 2025 to celebrate WAAC’s 40th anniversary.

On This Gay Day | Sexuality researcher Havelock Ellis died in 1939

Henry Havelock Ellis co-wrote the first medical text book in English that explored homosexuality.

Indications blessings of same-sex unions will remain under Pope Leo XIV

In a brief interview Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, the head of the Vatican's doctrine office indicated that the practice would remain.

Tasmanian political parties urged to focus on mental health and law reforms

The call comes ahead of an election forum being held later this week.

Alan Jones lawyers raise concerns over search of his phone

The broadcaster is facing 34 charges over historical offences.