ABSTRACT
On April 19, 1966, WTVJ Channel 4, Miami’s leading television station, broadcast “The Homosexual,” one of its FYI series of documentaries. Aimed “against the homosexual child molester and toward the parent who never thought it could happen to his or her son,” “The Homosexual” was dominated by the likes of Detective Sergeant John Sorenson of the Dade County Sheriff’s Department of Morals, and Lieutenant Duane Barker, former civilian advisor to the Florida Legislative Investigative Committee. The only person who dared to present a less-than-negative view of homosexuality was Richard Inman, described by FYI host Ralph Renick as “president of the Mattachine Society of Florida, whose goal is to legalize homosexuality between consenting adults.” At a time when most gays hid behind an assumed name, a potted palm, or in a shadow, Inman used his own name and allowed his full face to be shown on television. Although Inman’s television appearance left much to be desired, the fact that he was there at all made the showing of “The Homosexual” an important event in the gay history of Florida.
