How to be gay
Margriet van der Linden made the six-part series How To Be Gay, in which she travels to countries such as Russia, Lebanon, China and England. She answers the question: what is it like to be gay there? Her journey leads to a series of special and intimate encounters with people who talk about their orientation. To what extent can they be themselves? And what must they do or not do to be accepted?
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Ep 1How to be gay
Margriet is in China, where homosexuality is a big taboo and according to many Chinese it doesn't even exist. During a cruise, a number of people come out of the closet, much to the dismay of their parents. One mother visibly has a lot of difficulty with this and isolates herself. Margriet very carefully tries to make contact with her and this leads to a vulnerable conversation. And Margriet's translator also appears to be leading a double life.
Ep 2The Killer Plague
Margriet visits the world-famous gay men's choir in Los Angeles. More than 150 choir members died of AIDS in the 1980s. And she discovers the true story behind the censored video clip of the hit Relax, from Frankie goes to Hollywood.
Ep 3A Jailed Freedom
In Russia, Margriet visits the town of Vyborg, where, according to the mayor, no gays live. During a lesbian party it turns out that the women don't think Putin's policy is so crazy.
Ep 4The Dark Years
Margriet is in Utah, the heart of the Mormon community. There are still re-education institutes here for children with 'homosexual tendencies'. And she meets Steven Carrington from the TV series Dynasty, the first actor to have a relationship with a man in the United States on prime time.
Ep 5The Bubble
Margriet is in Lebanon, where homosexuality is prohibited. She meets special people in Hezbollah areas as well as in the conservative north who are not held back by the law. And the little man Lary, who turns his necessity into a virtue.
Ep 6Molly & Me
Margriet investigates the position of gays within large companies during the World Economic Forum in Davos. And she meets the writer who made a difference for herself: Rita Mae Brown. Margriet knows how to surprise her with a special gift.
