Documentary backdrop image for Coming Out Under Fire (1994)

199472 min0documentary

4.3/ 10(8 ratings)• TMDB

Military World War I

Deep Dive

Coming Out Under Fire

199472 min0documentary

4.3/ 10(8 ratings)• TMDB

Go deeper

More than 15,000 homosexual soldiers faced persecution as the United States military labeled them "sex perverts" and "mentally ill" during World War II.

“It is World War II and the United States military begins to persecute homosexual soldiers for being "sex perverts" and "mentally ill"”

Military World War I

Genres

History

Director

Arthur Dong

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Synopsis

More than 15,000 homosexual soldiers faced persecution as the United States military labeled them "sex perverts" and "mentally ill" during World War II.

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People

Synopsis

Alan Bergreen recalls his experiences as a homosexual soldier during World War II in "Coming Out Under Fire." The documentary features interviews with veterans who faced discrimination and persecution in the United States military. It details how military policies labeled them as "sex perverts" and "mentally ill." The film draws from Allan Bérubé's book and includes insights into the societal attitudes toward homosexuality at the time. It aired nationally on PBS in June 1995 and received several awards, including a George Foster Peabody Award.

Deep Dive

Why Watch

See the military's treatment of gay soldiers in WWII.
Meet veterans sharing their personal stories.
Find out about the film's awards and recognition.

Did You Know

The film received Special Jury Recognition for Technical Achievement at Sundance in 1994.
It aired nationally on PBS in June 1995.
The documentary was released on home video in 1996 and on DVD in 2003.

Perfect For

LGBT+ historyWorld War II studiesDocumentary enthusiasts

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who directed the documentary Coming Out Under Fire?

Coming Out Under Fire was directed and produced by Arthur Dong.

What awards did Coming Out Under Fire win?

The documentary won the Special Jury Recognition for Technical Achievement at the Sundance Film Festival and the Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1994.

When did Coming Out Under Fire air on PBS?

Coming Out Under Fire aired nationally on PBS in June 1995.

Awards & Festivals

Sundance Film Festival

1994 • Award

Berlin International Film Festival

1994 • Official selection

IDFA International Documentary Festival Amsterdam

1994 • Official selection

Teddy Award

1994 • Award

Awards & Festivals

Comments

What are people saying?

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