Plot Summary

Esther Newton was drawn to the drag scene as a student in the 1950s. Identifying as both butch lesbian and between genders, she felt a kinship with the queens; what the feminine clothing society expected her to wear felt like a form of drag. Her 1972 book ‘Mother Camp: Female Impersonators in America’ is noted as the first rigorous study of its kind. Now entering her sixth decade writing about queer communities, Newton exudes wisdom and a healthy dose of New York no-nonsense. The film’s amazing archive footage encompasses gay liberation, the feminist sex wars, AIDS activism and life on the safe haven of Fire Island. Her other main passion is dog training, so this illuminating history lesson is peppered with poodles!

Movie Details

Original Title
Esther Newton Made Me Gay
Status
released
Original Language
en

Where to watch free (US)

Kanopy
See more options on TMDB

Cast

Esther Newton as Self

Esther Newton

Self

Louise Fishman as Self

Louise Fishman

Self

Amber Hollibaugh as Self

Amber Hollibaugh

Self

Holly Hughes as Self

Holly Hughes

Self

Production Companies

Konsonant logoKonsonant
Chroma Center logoChroma Center
Cresting Moon Productions
The Film Collaborative logoThe Film Collaborative
NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment logoNYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment