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Dyke TV was created by Ana Maria Simo (playwright and co-founder of Lesbian Avengers), Linda Chapman (theater director and producer) and Mary Patierno (independent film and video maker). The first show aired in New York City, June 8, 1993. Dyke TV produced national documentary television programming, by and for lesbians, designed to empower and to enhance the visibility of diverse lesbian communities; it mixed art, news, sports, political commentary, health coverage, music, and video as it examined issues of lesbian culture. The program reached over 6.5 million households nationwide, and was screened at many national and international film and music festivals. The half-hour weekly cable television show featured a five-minute news segment covering issues relevant to lesbian lives from a lesbian perspective; an in-depth look at an issue of particular interest to the lesbian community, including such topics as the International Dyke March at Stonewall 25, the murder of Brandon Teena, Camp Sister Spirit under siege, lesbians in the military, domestic partnership, and state-wide ballot initiatives and other anti-lesbian and anti-gay activities of the Christian Right; and interviews with lesbian artists, showcasing their work. Dyke TV won a Hometown Video Festival Award in 1994.
The Records contain show master tapes, editor's master tapes, raw footage, and DVD dubs for
[NOTE: The contents list for this collection is not online. Contact the Sophia Smith Collection if you would like one sent to you.]
The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection with the following exceptions:
Access to original audiovisual material is restricted --research copies must be made prior to use.
Portions of collection are stored offsite; researchers must give 48 hours notice.
This collection has not been fully processed and therefore may be difficult to use.
The material in this collection may be protected by copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights for permission to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use." Permission must also be obtained from the Sophia Smith Collection as owners of the physical property.
Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:
Dyke TV Records, Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College, Northampton, Mass.
The first installment of the Dyke TV Records was donated to the Sophia Smith Collection by Sally Sasso in 2009.
This collection has not been fully processed and therefore may be difficult to use.
Accessioned by Burd Schlessinger, December 2009
Additional Dyke TV materials were donated to the Lesbian Herstoy Archives, Brooklyn, NY