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Deep Dive: Coming Out Under Fire (1994)

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Coming Out Under Fire
Coming Out Under Fire is a documentary that examines the treatment of homosexual soldiers in the United States Armed Forces during World War II. Directed by Arthur Dong and based on Allan Bérubé's book, the film presents firsthand accounts and historical context to illustrate the military's persecution of gay service members, labeling them as 'sex perverts' and 'mentally ill'. The film is narrated by actress Salome Jens and features interviews with veterans who share their experiences of discrimination and the impact of military policies on their lives. The film was produced with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It runs for 71 minutes and was released by Zeitgeist Films. The documentary aired on PBS in June 1995, and it has received several accolades, including a George Foster Peabody Award in 1995 and a Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1994.

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