VIDEO: Kristin Russo’s New Web Series “First Person” Tells LGBT Stories

It seems like everywhere you look, people are trying to tell queer stories. Laverne Cox makes the cover of Time, everybody obsesses over Orange is the New Black, and dozens of national publications launch LGBT-specific verticals. Many times (but not always) these stories are told well, with nuance and care. But for me, even the most thoughtful pieces often lack a pretty big component: first-person accounts from the queer people that seem to fascinate the mainstream media.

That’s why I’m so excited about “First Person,” a new digital series from PBS and Kristin Russo (of Everyone is Gay and adorable gay wedding fame). Russo describes the project as an opportunity for “people to tell their own stories about being queer and trans. … Our mission for the show is to tackle the topics of gender and sexuality by actually talking with people whose lives intersect with those issues.”

The first episode, which premiered today on YouTube, does just that by speaking with Skylar Kergil, a trans artist and activist known in part for documenting his transition via YouTube videos. In it, we get a more rounded out look at Skylar’s life and how he came to transition in the public eye, including the effects that decision has had on his life:

But that’s just the first episode! As the series continues, Russo says they’ll delve into topics like “queer fashion, bisexual erasure and sports” and more. Subscribe on YouTube to make sure you don’t miss a single story.

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Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn lives in New York, which is the simplest answer you're going to get if you ask her where she's from. She went to journalism school and is arguably making the most of her degree as a writer and copy editor. She utilizes her monthly cable bill by watching more competitive cooking shows than should be allowed.

Kaitlyn has written 69 articles for us.

7 Comments

  1. I’m excited to watch this series. I love Skylar! He is really positive and inspirational and I appreciate his work so much. I feel like I’ve been listening to his new EP constantly all week, it is amazing.

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