Gay Cable Network Archives
Call Number
Dates
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
Founded in 1982 by Louis P. Maletta, the Gay Cable Network was the premiere media chronicler of events and personalities of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community for nearly two decades. GCN programming broadcast on public access television in New York City and other major cities worldwide.
Historical Note
Under the direction of Lou Maletta, and broadcast on Manhattan Cable Television Channel 35, Gay Cable Network (GCN) began in 1982 and stopped production in 2001. GCN was the first network in the nation to openly appeal to a gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender audience. GCN initially broadcast a series titled "Men and Films," which explored the gay male image in media and male erotica, and the network soon evolved to host a wider variety of content, including news and current affairs programs which covered political developments affecting the LGBT community and the AIDS/HIV epidemic. Throughout its time, GCN provided coverage of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, with on-floor correspondents interviewing candidates and delegates, as well as coverage of the 1987 and 1993 LGBT rights marches on Washington. A documentary aired on GCN, "Out in the 90's," earned the network a Special Recognition Award at the inaugural GLAAD Media Awards in 1990.
Arrangement
This collection has been arranged into 36 Series:
Series I: About Entertainment
Series II: AIDS Memorial Quilt
Series III: Be Our Guest
Series IV: Candied Camera
Series V: Commercials, Trailers, and Miscellaneous Promos
Series VI: Dungeon Knights
Series VII: Emerald City
Series VIII: Events
Series IX: Frankie Loves Johnny
Series X: Gay Games and Sporting Events
Series XI: Gay USA
Series XII: Health and Fitness with Jessie Garcia
Series XIII: Interviews
Series XIV: In the Dungeon
Series XV: In the Life
Series XVI: Lavender Health
Series XVII: LGBT Parades, Marches, and Rallies
Series XVIII: Men and Films
Series XIX: Miscellaneous Programs and Clips
Series XX: Music Videos
Series XXI: Out on Wednesdays
Series XXII: Political Conventions
Series XXIII: Pride and Progress / The Right Stuff
Series XXIV: Public Service Announcements
Series XXV: Secret Passions
Series XXVI: Sixth Floor Harrison
Series XXVII: Sports Scan
Series XXVIII: Static
Series XXIX: Stonewall Place After Dark
Series XXX: Unedited Footage
Series XXXII: Lou Maletta and GCN Files
Oversize Series XXIX: Lou Maletta and GCN Files
Series XXXIII: Photographs
Series XXXIV: Objects
Oversize Series XXXV: Objects
Series XXXVI: Lou Maletta Interviews
Scope and Contents
The Gay Cable Network Archives contain video recordings of shows broadcast on Gay Cable Network (GCN), event recordings, and the network's photographs, merchandise, administrative files, and promotional materials. Although arranged in series by program, some videotapes are compilations containing multiple programs. In those cases, each program is listed in the title of the record.
Broadcast on public access television in New York City and other major cities worldwide, GCN covered key Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) civil rights battles, five presidential conventions, as well as the AIDS pandemic and social protests often marginalized in the mainstream media. On televised programs like Gay USA, Pride and Progress, The Right Stuff, Men and Films, Candied Camera, In the Dungeon, and Lavender Health, GCN conducted numerous interviews with leading politicians, medical and educational professionals, entertainers, and social activists.
Subjects
Organizations
People
Topics
Conditions Governing Access
The following Series are unprocessed and currently unavailable to patrons:
Series V
Series VII
Series X
Series XIII
Series XIV
Series XV
Series XVI
Series XX
Series XXIX
Series XXXVI
Conditions Governing Use
This collection is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use materials in the collection in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Gay Cable Network Archives; MSS 231; box number; folder number or item identifier; Fales Library and Special Collections, New York University Libraries.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Louis P. Maletta in 2008. The accession number associated with this gift is 2008.231.
Audiovisual Access Policies and Procedures
Access to some audiovisual materials in this collection is available through digitized access copies. Researchers may view an item's original container, but the media themselves are not available for playback because of preservation concerns. Materials that have already been digitized are noted in the collection's finding aid and can be requested in our reading room.
Audiovisual materials that have not been preserved may not be available to researchers. Materials not yet digitized will need to have access copies made before they can be used. To request an access copy, or if you are unsure if an item has been digitized, please contact Fales Library, special.collections@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596 with the collection name, collection number, and a description of the item(s) requested. A staff member will respond to you with further information.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Decisions regarding arrangement, description, and physical interventions for this collection prior to 2021 are unknown.
In 2021, narrative description was revised in Series XI to edit harmful language regarding suicide. Changes were made based on the Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide.
In November 2024, two videos with duplicate content were deaccessioned.
