Clips: 1970, June Lockhart gently challenges homophobia on THE VIRGINIA GRAHAM SHOW w/Rev Troy Perry

Happy 98th birthday to June Lockhart, who was an ally to the queer community long before that was an "in" thing to be!
(Hat tip to pioneering gay activist Randy Wicker, who had a reel-to-reel home video recorder in 1970, and kindly lent me his recording of this rare show many years ago.)
#TalkShows #gay #queer #LGBTQ #homophobia #JuneLockhart #VirginiaGraham #TroyPerry #1970s

[@mikeklimczak9600]

June is still with us as of July 5, 2024 at age 99.

[@xoxxobob61]

She's a CANCER like me! The Sign of Empathy & Compassion!

[@PracticalPerry]

woW. Wonder if she has updated her opinion on homosexuality?

[@anglodoomer5995]

Wow

[@RachelDavisMatthews]

Amazing. Good for June saying we should not moralize it. Wonder how Virgini'as gay friends felt about her reactions on this episode............

[@LeeKeels]

@@PracticalPerry What needed to be updated about it?

[@matthewmatthews8495]

And the audience applauded June's comments!!!!

[@Gee-xb7rt]

history is so back and forwards on this, what is happening now is very common in history though, heteronormative gay people are gatekeeping, and there is precedent, there were gay people and jews in the SS and SA that thought picking on the more marginalized was fun until they were purged.

[@markrichards6863]

Virginia Graham was tired in her prime. My mom used to watch her every day, smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee, then get on the phone to her friend Ellen or Joan, and gossip about the show and eventually people they know.

[@Ma1nguy]

I can attest to what it is to be a gay man even though I've chosen to live celibate. My dream of awakening in the morning as a lusting heterosexual ain't gonna happen, else it would've happened a long time ago.

[@nagillim7915]

Even in 1970 gay people had friends and relatives who supported them. Not as many as now, for sure, but the minority still existed. And clapping in a tv audience is mostly anonymous so people can circumvent the moral busybodies. It's the same way people tell political pundits one thing during elections and then once out of the public eye they have the anonymity to vote freely. Never underestimate the oppressive power of social pressure. It can be stronger than written law.

[@RaptorFromWeegee]

@@Ma1nguy Why don't you read your bible

[@mikestevens7018]

June and the preacher are decades ahead of time.

[@honestone490]

Rev Troy Perry is the founder of the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC). A ministry started originally for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, in Los Angeles on October 6, 1968. At 83 yr of age he's still with us today. A beacon of hope for millions.

[@dfpguitar]

He seems both cool AF and radically intelligent. Speaking here about how society has made people neurotic.

[@orange222...]

They are speaking openly and freely, with no thought of repercussions. I might suggest that indicates they are of their time.

[@Jeff-66]

What impressed me is that the crowd clapped and supported June and the preacher.

[@orange222...]

@@Jeff-66 yes that was great.

[@deansliger1075]

June Lockhart is and always has been a national treasure.

[@StonedUp1]

Bullshit 😂😂

[@kkc6155]

That way.

[@Left_hand_clapping]

@@StonedUp1 Your response says more about you than anyone else could.

@@StonedUp1You are only old enough to understand the Power Rangers. Pfft.

[@lizzieallen2284]

Amen x

[@davidfleischer455]

June really spoke up! Way ahead of her time. I'm moved.

[@markrichards6863]

She's 99 and still going strong, from what I've heard.

[@DavidMcFarner]

@@markrichards6863YAY!! 🌹 I’ve always loved June Lockhart!

[@stevegs1]

Mad props to June….VG uniformed , very disappointed.

[@RocketRocket-ce3ke]

@@DavidMcFarner Indeed. The next Gay icon if she isnt now. A class act, and may I say nice to see a show where people arent screaming over each other

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

Supporting perversion is not anything modern

[@furncemanjim]

Man was this priest ahead of his time, June Lockhart was way too cool as well.

[@stevencapsuto873]

I also posted another great clip of Rev. Perry here, talking in 1971 about the founding of his gay-friendly church: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX_Em3SshZWhnqM

[@bondfool]

I was very confused because I thought he was going to be the one June argues with.

[@davidmenasco5743]

​@@bondfoolIt's really a shocking plot twist, to see the man with the collar on this side of the debate, in a program from that era. I guess it just shows the changes happening at that time. The culture really went through some very rapid changes between 1965 and 1975.

[@honestone490]

The priest you refer to is Rev Troy Perry founder of the Metropolitan Community of Churches in 1968. He's still around today preaching the true word of the Gospel with his husband and soul mate along side him since 2003.

[@furncemanjim]

@@honestone490 a good person will always have a great life, he deserves a good life

[@echospaw899]

Virginial Graham is gone... and gladly forgotten. June Lockhart... class act, intelligent, empathetic, and still with us. 😊

[@jamesmcinnis208]

Well, that settles it.

[@vernonfrance2974]

Virginia Graham and people of that time had been taught that homosexuality was wrong and disgusting. We should not expect many people to rise above the prejudices and ignorance of their time.

[@jamesmcinnis208]

@@vernonfrance2974 It was categorized as a psychological abnormality until the 1970s.

[@mrxman581]

​@@vernonfrance2974June did. I'm now very curious about her upbringing.

[@josephsf2452]

Virginia Graham seems close-minded

[@jc0730]

Virginia Grahams ignorance and hypocrisy speaks for itself. Rock on June Lockhart!

[@davidlafleche1142]

There's no such thing as homophobia.

[@jc0730]

@@davidlafleche1142 your denial will not protect you.

[@MrMarkOlson]

@@davidlafleche1142 That's like a member of the Third Reich saying there is no such thing as antisemitism. LOL!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@jimtfmb]

Now I have a better understanding of Dame Edna. Always loved June Lockhart🎉

[@dwightfitch3120]

@@davidlafleche1142If ur talking about the phobia part and thinking no one’s afraid of them, it sometimes means dislike rather than fear

[@sufyanlowel4631]

'I have homosexual friends and we never discussed this'. Another homophobic classic

[@latvguy1]

"I've had a friend for seven years who I was told.... you know, is that way".

[@pjesf]

@@latvguy1”We never talk about it”. Sure, cuz you’d have one fewer friend

[@markrichards6863]

And she was a talk show host. I give her credit for having the conversation, but deduct points for walking through life we blinders on.

[@danityvanityinsanity]

Ikr? “Some of my best friends are (put in marginalized group here).”🙄

[@pjesf]

@@danityvanityinsanity Yesterday I was trying to think of the term for that but couldn’t remember until seeing your message. “Virtue signaling” and it’s always SO obvious

[@johnwalzer9187]

As someone who spent her life in show business, I suspect June had many gay friends, was not bothered at all by homosexuality and was bemused and appalled by people like Graham. June hit the nail on the head: if you're not gay, don't pretend you know what it's like to be gay. Above, all, watch out for the types who express concern for a group, and "have friends" in that group - but say or do things that hurt that group. Someone who attacks you with a smile is still attacking you.

[@Mcfreddo]

It's called "the smiling assassin." (Usually behind your back.)

[@user-nz9pv1zx2d]

Perfectly expressed. And absolutely true. Virginia Graham shows are intolerance, and racial tendency.

[@CoopyKat]

@johnwalzer9187 I question if Virginia Graham really had ANY "homosexual" friends. If she never discussed it with them, how would she even know? Her attitude wasn't good at all, but it wasn't as bad as MAGA is today.

[@johnwalzer9187]

@@CoopyKat True enough, but it's one of conservatives' three excuses for bad behavior. Whenever a right-wing extremist says anything hideously inappropriate and there's blowback, the excuses are: (1) it was a joke; (2) it was taken out of context; (3) "I have friends in that community." I'd love to meet these Jewish friends who find holocaust jokes funny or black friends who find slavery jokes funny or gay friends who find AIDS jokes funny.

[@edcipriani8873]

@@CoopyKat - The only reason Virginia Graham would have friends in the LGBT community is most likely it was gay men who wanted to dress up and wear wigs like her. Virginia's getup translates very well in a drag show.

[@hanschristianbrando5588]

Right on, June! That took guts in 1970. And yes, Virginia, we've heard that "I have many homosexual friends" from homophobes; I bet they just love how you liken their sexuality with "taking dope" and "shooting and killing" and how you reserve the right to "moralize" about them. What a pal.

[@reglook1]

Like saying oh I have many black friends/ remember that one?

[@wakingupKosher]

Gays do the same thing by making homosexuality akin to being black. You're all hypocrites. Since when does the color of skin hue equal comparative your sexual deviance? Repent

[@notAsoccerMom]

I'm sure there are MANY things and people in this life who you don't know about and/or don't understand. Does that make YOU a bad person? Just stop....

[@reglook1]

@@notAsoccerMom I ve been on that end of being discriminted, so yes I understand a hateful Bitch bigot.

[@culinarynerd]

I like to respond to this sentiment with "they may be friends to you, but you are not a friend to them."

[@nagashtheforsaken]

The priest really did more than June did, but I'm glad we had them both in '70 carrying the torch for understanding.

[@RocketRocket-ce3ke]

I recall being head over heels over the Rev Perry as a youngster

[@roberthaber8510]

The priest was very compassionate, but also very wrong. The Bible, God's Word, clearly prohibits the action in Leviticus, and again in several of the Pauline New Testament letters. Find a Biblical Concordance and look it up. That said, Jesus also commanded that we love one another, but He also always emphasized Repentance from sin.

[@nagashtheforsaken]

@@roberthaber8510 There's a lot of disagreement on what the bible actually says, and many biblical scholars believe it's being misinterpreted in that sense. Leviticus, for example, is being debated on it's meaning. So, saying he's wrong for interpreting the bible that way is nonsense. There's not much consensus on the topic. Either way, you can't cherry pick what you like out of the bible and ignore the rest. You're either all in or all out.

[@t.wilson9432]

​@@roberthaber8510 the Bible also says that eating pork products and shellfish is an abomination...sex while menstruating is an abomination, wearing two types of cloth... abomination... Also says you should stone your children if they misbehave... I don't see you bringing up ANY of those things.. The bible was written a very, very long time ago when people's understanding of the world was about a 50 mile radius... If you're going to use the bible as a shield for everything you dislike you should at least have an understanding of what it actually says ..

[@roberthaber8510]

@@nagashtheforsaken Oh, I'm all in. Leviticus 20:13, "A man shall not sleep with a man as if with a woman - it is an abomination . . . " How can that not be clear? I'd you accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, you will be cleansed from that sin, and forgiven. I know. Personally.

[@jefferysmith3542]

June Lockhart thank you 🌈

[@rayarena879]

She is so cool and she used to work with Jonathan Harris [Dr. Smith] in Lost in Space who was gay.

[@johndalton3180]

Haha June didn't get along with Mr. Harris. But not because he was gay. She is a lovely person.

[@donzucca264]

Harris wasn’t gay

[@DadInTaiwan]

@@rayarena879 Jonathan Harris was married to his high school sweetheart for over 60 years until his death. Sounds pretty straight to me.

[@rayarena879]

@@DadInTaiwan She could have been his "beard," [that is to say, his cover]. Back in those days when Jonathan Harris married, it wasn't uncommon for gay men to get married because it was what was expected. The stigma of being known as gay was too stigmatizing. Look, June Lockhart who knew him better than you and I has gone on record saying he was gay.

[@jaytops]

This is actually, groundbreaking for a tv show in 1970.

[@Mister_Listener]

Nah. Stuff like this was shown on tv talk shows once in awhile. And it always did more harm to gays than good. Blame religion.

[@Sophiedorian0535]

Not really. I lived 1970. Conservative talk shows like this were all about conserving values, not about imposing values. It was the time when conservatism still meant checking bath water for babies, before allowing the progressives to throw it away and run the next bath.

[@cascade5682]

Groundbreaking like Maude and All In The Family.

[@jaytops]

@@cascade5682 Which happened after.

[@lablaine1981]

​@@Mister_Listener💯agreed...I'm 75 yrs old,gays had an onslaught of constant harassment in spite of a few shows that made lukewarm pro gay commentary,but credit due...

[@glenn212now]

June really took a risk to defend homosexuality back in those days. Good for her.

[@TigerPrawn_]

What risk?

[@jademusic1211]

​@@TigerPrawn_Homosexuality was less accepted back then than it is today.🤷‍♀️

[@glenn212now]

@@TigerPrawn_ are you kidding me? You could be fired for being gay or supporting gay people. I had to stay in the closet and posed as a straight person at work because the office where I was employed was owned by the Catholic Church. Gay bars were constantly raided by the police. It was nothing like it is today.

[@davidjorgensen877]

I'm even more impressed with the Catholic priest not only defending their right to exist but offering them a place of worship if they choose. It was only last year Pope Francis openly declared that LGBTQ+ individuals were welcome in the Catholic Church (but with some conditions).

[@janesmith5967]

@TigerPrawn In the 70s, speaking up in support of homosexuality could cost a person their career. Many people in Hollywood were blacklisted and refused work if it was known that they were gay or supported gay people. Times have changed but still not enough.

[@theodorelaval1133]

Look how calm she was while Virginia Graham got all defensive!

[@hlcepeda]

She was _always_ that way: Smiling while delivering instant, clever, razor-sharp retorts... one of the smartest, bravest, and quick-witted actors in Hollywood ever.

[@rallegra]

The younger people of today need to know about these pioneers.

[@ponyhorton4295]

Thank you! I was a member of Rev. Perry's church, MCC, in the mid-1970s. He gave me communion once. I was Out by then, of course. Don't know if that makes me a pioneer, but I'm glad I was Gay back then.

[@thomasszymanski1107]

AND RESPECT THEM!

[@openskies11]

This is why they need to teach gay history in schools.

[@gabrieltrimble2432]

Yes Indeed!​@@openskies11

[@rugby8-Philadelphia]

They sure do! My husband and I just celebrated our 43rd Anniversary, and I yalk to younger guys who truly don't know Anything about what it was like in the 70s with police raids, in the 80s with AIDS, and on and on

[@renerod1980]

June Lockhart was ahead of her time! What a pioneer!

[@erika6651]

No she wasn't. There have always been folks like June and folks like that windbag prattling on about all her "Homosexual friends". The same types of people have existed as long as humanity has existed. We keep doing this over and over again.

[@kenbob1071]

Talk about pioneers, the priest was not only ahead of his time, but he's ahead of our time.

[@skyavalanche]

Virginia Graham: On the wrong side of History, but on the right side of Hairspray.

[@pjesf]

You can’t see me bowing before you for that comment 😂👍🏻👏🏻❤️

[@billtomson5791]

Divine would certainly approve. 😊

[@markrichards6863]

Only her hair dresser knows for sure.

[@bobnbutters]

I love that!

[@AngryRantsAndStuff]

😂

[@kpm7727]

Thank you June. She was truly ahead of her time.

[@kenbob1071]

The priest was not only ahead of his time, but he's ahead of our time.

[@jefflewis4]

@@kenbob1071 He's still right about the percentage of gays. Even today with more acceptance its still around about 4-7% in the US.

[@frankiebowie6174]

June Lockhart is exactly how I imagine she would be. Sweet, gently witty, honest and forthright.

[@johnmanier7968]

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with her, just a few years ago, and she’s still exactly as you summarized.

[@grl9917]

And very intelligent.

[@vidalott]

For those too young to remember, this is what a conversation looks like.

[@jbghumanjr]

Um... a priest on TV in 1970nspeaking up for gay rights: Like wow! Whoever he is, he deserves a medal.

[@stumack9755]

& he's a cutie. .

[@markmartindale7215]

He is Troy Perry. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_Perry?wprov=sfla1

[@SusanMarie3]

FYI - The minister, Troy Perry, is not and never was a catholic priest.

[@janetbeatrice9505]

​@@SusanMarie3I'm surprised that he wears a collar then. I'm looking forward to finding out more about him.

[@alexanderangelo7284]

​@janetbeatrice9505 Other Protestant denominations wear clericals like this.

[@giggles7179]

Ms. Lockhart, if you or somebody else should ever see this, I want to thank you. Whether you were defending the LBGTQ community or simply voicing a distate for that woman's logic, that took a lot of courage to say that back then. It's people like you who spoke up to put things into perspective or call out hypocrisy that changed our world for the better. Thank you.

[@ijansk]

This is about homosexuality, same-SEX attraction. The gender identity letters have nothing to do with same-sex attraction .in fact, those letters deny homosexuality.

[@richardnz55]

Thank you for these words of appreciation..she was very brave and true to her values.

[@helloxonsfan]

Yes! If she ever sees this, she deserves much thanks & respect! ❤

[@lisas4444]

And the audience was pretty supportive!

[@georgimihailov4906]

June Lockhart, we love you.

[@jamesj7518]

This is such an illuminating and gratifying clip: June Lockhart and Rev. Perry were onto something!

[@stevehardeman7209]

Ther were , they were into perversion !

[@michael0.770]

Somehow l never expected June Lockhart to be supportive and understanding, but Lassie and Timmy's mother gave me a most pleasant surprise! You go June!

[@mahalokoka]

I guess she really does make the perfect mother! Supporting her flock, and with grace and dignity.

[@tingdzin]

This is interesting to watch. I was a legal assistant in New York City and settled Virginia Graham’s estate. I met her daughter and had many meetings with her granddaughter who was lovely. Graham’s husband, Harry Guttenberg, owned a theatrical costume company and was gay. I’m not surprised Virginia had gay friends. I’m rather surprised she appears gay people should be cured. Maybe she thought she was going to cure her husband.

[@stumack9755]

explains y she was getting testy. topic was too close for home having a gay closet hubby.

[@rrrusty49]

Or maybe that what the TV execs wanted her to say?

[@kcinca5410]

Of course she wanted it to be cured. She thought she'd be the one to cure her husband. Bravo June and, I'm sorry I didn't catch his name, the priest. True decent human beings.

[@williamashton9235]

In 1970, probably half the people in America felt that homosexuality was a choice that could be cured or overcome, and millions of people believed that it was a mental problem.

[@dougl945]

Well, we now see where her anger came from.

[@TheTurkaderr]

I've worked with June's daughter Anne, and I've heard nothing but wonderful things about June. God bless her. Nice to know she was an ally.

[@markrichards6863]

She is a friend to the community, 99 years old.

[@carolynmckee4295]

And when I hear Anne, I think of June! ❤

[@8aa17]

Thank you Rev Troy Perry! For MCC

[@wlb2j]

I love MCC, they were a home for me when I first moved to San Diego so many years ago. Beautiful community.

[@jl3322]

And still alive in 2024 - 99 yrs young💙

[@vaguelydangerous]

As a gay man, the worst part of it is people pretending I'm damaged.

[@reverbscherzo7850]

The worst part is they're not pretending. They really think we're damaged.

[@sandradelvecchio6894]

@@reverbscherzo7850not at all. I believe you are in sin and if you want to continue that way have at it. Not a very wise decision in my view because I am a Christian and I would love for you to understand the Bible and how and why it describes sins of all kinds. Yes God certainly loves you as we all should, as a brother for sure. But you are sinning, just as my huge sin is gluttony of food. And that is a very serious problem for me, it is as bad to me and for me as your sin is. Am I damaged? Not the word I would choose. I know full well I choose things that make my senses satisfied beyond just being satiated. I struggle. I know I shouldn’t be in this state. I just have a sin state that people don’t deminize the way they do sexual sin so it’s easier for me to hide it. But at the end of the day that sin dissapointed god as much as any of your sin. You aren’t damaged. Or maybe we both are. I’m sorry you have been treated that way. I am a long standing very devout Christian and nobody that calls themselves that should ever treat you as damaged. We all have a sin nature.

[@Mister_Listener]

@@sandradelvecchio6894thats a lot of hatred. Sounds like an awful group of people you fraternize with each sunday morning. Awful!

[@dawnkindnesscountsmost5991]

"Damage" comes from abuse and neglect inflicted by others, not from a part of oneself one is born with. No one is born damaged, and the sexuality a person is born with does not make the person damaged.

[@reverbscherzo7850]

@@sandradelvecchio6894Thank you for exemplifying exactly the crap we have to put up with on the daily. 🙄 You clearly have no idea what you're talking about.

[@cbeautifulworld11]

Kindness and empathy are exactly what I would expect from Timmy and Lassie's most wonderful Mom.

[@jackfahey4610]

I love this. And decades ago someone with an argument that we aren’t perverts

[@tncorgi92]

Isn't it sad though that 50 years later we still have rampant homophobia and discrimination in this country.

[@MCJSA]

1970 was about the time that gay rights started to come into the mainstream public conscious.

[@markrichards6863]

The Stonewall Uprising was in 1969. I believe this show was filmed in NYC. I was not a fan of Virginia Graham, but I do respect that she was willing to have a public conversation on what was then a controversial topic. She had gay friends, but was more comfortable with the status quo than she was with change. June Lockhart was progressive, way ahead of her time.

[@stumack9755]

& Disco!!!

[@johnceniceros507]

June = ALLY…! And the audience applauded…! 1970…!

[@itz_kale7791]

I never saw this coming, Love you June! ❤🙂🌈

[@bluepuppydan]

June is pure class and I will leave it at that after watching this clip .

[@johndalton3180]

Yup! Nothing more need be said.

[@johnmcquilkin]

June Lockhart was, is, and will always be a class act and a beautiful soul! 💙✌️💙

[@MarlaLukofsky7]

June Lockhart is a gift of a human being and narrowed it down to reason, logic, and intelligence. I love her more now than ever before.

[@granvillesimmons6033]

God bless June Lockhart, an extremely fine actress and class act all the way round. Whether it was She Wolf of London, Lassie, or Lost in Space she has always been a joy to watch. And she was so reasonable and compassionate on this subject!

[@Magnetron33]

or as the doctor on Petticoat Junction

[@denisemadigan1038]

Right? She was fabulous in her insight!❤❤😂

[@TheHarryleemartin]

You go, June! Happy 98th to someone who has brought so much happiness to so many people.

[@everettclaytoncarman9561]

Thank you for identifying him for us! He's so young I didn't recognize him. So eloquent.

[@VintageTVMemories]

99th* ;-)

[@detcarguymichigan4021]

You go June Lockhart!!! You are already on the right side of history and the future!!!

[@thomthom6268]

That last part is priceless. Gently calling Ms Graham out. Oh, June is amused alright. And hides a well honed dagger.

[@grittykitty50]

She really did read Graham in the nicest possible way.

[@Marcel_Audubon]

Virginia: "June, if you'll move down, darling" June: No, on this topic, I will NOT move down, darling!

[@wlb2j]

True ally-ship right there!😊

[@miketalley5476]

That's Dr. Joyce Brothers sitting next to Rev. Troy Perry. What a truly WONDERFUL clip!

[@rongreen2976]

She doesn't look like her or sound like her.

[@jjwintrs]

Definitely Dr Troy Perry, founder of MCC, though.

[@Mister_Listener]

@@rongreen2976lol no signature hairstyle…i dont think it is her.

[@user-hj5vk3su3y]

Thank you, June Lockhart!

[@PhoenixFit2024]

Wow. I’ve never seen this. For her to speak up is amazing. So much respect for her.

[@tjdomerny4847]

I have always loved June. One of my favorite TV moms

[@paisley8519]

June Lockhart, the voice of reason. If only she could have been every mom. Imagine how many people would have felt loved and accepted. And well adjusted. This clip is a true treasure. You just gotta love this woman!

[@000524]

HURRAY, JUNE! I have loved watching you my whole life and could not be prouder of you than I am now. Thank you.

[@saifabraham6563]

This is SHOCKING!!! look at the class and elegance even when they are challenged and even when they are debating a sensitive topic like homosexuality back in the day!!!! Look at us now!!! AMAZING!!!

[@lysanamcmillan7972]

I was watching a clip from Merv Griffin in which Bea Arthur challenged Merv Griffin for a question he asked Betty White due to its sexism. Merv was aghast that he might have screwed up and worked with Bea more than against to figure it out. It was marvelous. Some of the newer talk shows have better dignity than they did for a while, but I cannot imagine the hosts even asking something that could raise hackles and lead to honest discussion of their flaws. It's like we swung from polite even when uninformed to "all opinions are valid and I'm going to get rude if you question me" to "say nothing controversial, we have movies to sell." You had guests because they spoke well, not because they had a book to flog. I really do miss talk shows like those!

[@Mister_Listener]

@@lysanamcmillan7972what about Morton Downey Jr, the Big Mouth…out of Seacaucus, NJ! Lol. Remember him?

[@lorileehamel9695]

Way to go, June!!!!!!

[@johndalton3180]

June is a neat lady. Love her. Just turned 99!

[@jsch9173]

Virginia Graham looks as though she’s auditioning for a John Waters movie. Divine beat her out for the part. As for Ms. Graham, let’s at least give her credit for giving time and space to this subject way back in 1970. This was only a year after Stonewall, folks.

[@RaptorFromWeegee]

Yup, in 1970 the vast majority of people went to church, believed that homosexuality was a sin, that they sought to "convert" young boys, that it should continue to be illegal, and that its a repulsive practice. It was absolutely socially forbidden to talk about homosexuality in any way, even in a negative way. Disparaging jokes about the gays was considered hip and liberal. Never acknowleging that it even existed was the route most conservatives took. Homosexuality and prostitution were only legal in France, but the laws passed against it under Vichy were kept in place by DeGaul.

[@giggles7179]

@@jsch9173 BWAHAHA! Spot-on, darling!

[@grl9917]

Divine came to my mind as well.

[@garyfasso6223]

She must have known sparks would fly when she invited the "Right" Reverend. I'll bet she thought the guests and audience would be behind her, though... 😊

[@michellehill4148]

LOL ! You are right, those of us old enough to remember know how rare and important this giving of space was. And we needed to see ourselves soo bad! The John Water joke made me love you by the way!

[@skotmiller8465]

June is and always has been, a class act!

[@midshipcinema]

Way to go, June!

[@user-kb5kt1ip8w]

Love June even more

[@markrichards6863]

She desrerves gay icon status. June Lockhart had your back.

[@rockymontero1162]

It's wonderful that June spoke up so eloquently to defend Gay folks. Troy Perry did an excellent job in this debate and he looks gorgeous! However, people making comments against Virginia Graham are not considering the era. Standards of today can't be applied to the past. It was 1970 and the Gay Liberation movement was just gaining momentum. Eventually Virginia evolved like many others from that time period. Her afternoon show was big at that time and discussing homosexuality on a daytime talk show was a huge risk! I commend her for taking such a risk!

[@jeremymilsom5314]

Thank God that times have changed and generally accept us equally.

We still have a way to go. Look at the homophobic world of Russia, Hungary etc, etc, etc.

[@lorettanericcio-bohlman567]

Sleep with one eye open, republicans want us to go backwards. 🤬

[@lorettanericcio-bohlman567]

Sleep with one eye open. republicans would like nothing better than to roll back time

[@CARTER.J]

Wow BRAVO that reverend and june have HUGE COURAGE AND BRAVE doing this in 1970 wow!!!!!

[@jeffcook3747]

Thank you Mrs Robinson/Miss Lockhart!

[@chikeefer]

I never realized what a lovely person she is!

[@BicoastalJet]

Wow. Never thought this level of support existed before I was born. Incredible.

[@artSFCA]

June is smart.

[@donaldlewis567]

"I have many homosexual friends"....my favorite line

[@trwent]

Sounds like "Some of my best friends are black".

[@darrelljustice6105]

I've heard that line from others. All they really mean is that they have acquaintances, known or assumed to be homosexual, who they pretend to tolerate (in person) but don't really accept.

[@Mcfreddo]

@@darrelljustice6105That's absolutely right.

[@TheRulesLawyerRPG]

And I suspect many of those "homosexual friends" don't share much of their gay business with her because they've clocked her as a bigot :)

[@mauricebederon869]

"Jews are so amazing people and extremely rich... 🤢" She looked from my point of view a little like a DRAG QUEEN😳

[@williamtomczak1857]

Thank you, June. 1970 was the year before I came out.

[@TheTruthSeeker756]

June Lockhart, what a lady! Watched her so many times on Lassie and Lost and Space! What CLASS!

[@user-xt2yf2ji4k]

June Lockhart's open mind and warm heart are on display here. And she's still with us at age 99, I think. Maybe not hating so much has extended her good health? I didn't realize that Virginia Graham was such a bigot.

[@user-gk1mn2wc9x]

She's not.....She's calling it what it is.......WRONG

[@jwb52z9]

@@user-gk1mn2wc9x nly religious zealot bigots believe that.

[@trueshy]

@@user-gk1mn2wc9x Bigots defending bigots. Nothing new to see here...

[@johndalton3180]

Ok folks! We have a MAGA dummy here!

[@Mcfreddo]

@@user-gk1mn2wc9xOh my god! You have to know what right first. Let me inform you. From fraternal birth order studies and they have ALWAYS given the same result, the chance of a gay son goes up measurably. That statistic has never changed. If a mother is highly stressed during pregnancy, there's a greater chance (chance being a percentage amount higher than the background chance,) that if it's male, to be born gay. Sheep studies for rams show 8% are homosexual. And your god has no evidence for existence.

[@BTURNER1961]

Virginia came around before she left us. She ended up 'evolving' like so many other straights did .

[@brockreynolds870]

Yes... sometimes people just need some time, because they have ingrained ideas passed down from their parents.

[@johndalton3180]

Good to know. I forgive her.

[@aartadventure]

Thanks to Randy Wicker who recorded this gem. It's a real shame that TV studios would just throw out the originals. This is a real time capsule, and shows a snippet of how awful and difficult it was to be Queer back then. You could easily find yourself locked up in an institution, forced to undergo chemical castration, or just straight up killed. Thankfully some people like June Lockhart and this priest had the decency to publicly declare that everyone should be shown love and respect.

[@rpbphx]

Thank you Troy Perry (and June!)

[@fanorama1]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who recognized him. I actually had lunch with him and Leonard Matlovich back in the day.

[@tangogent]

@@fanorama1 Tell us more--or write a book!

[@VIncentSunflowers]

I love June Lockhart, and l love your channel. Thank you for all these meaningful clips.

[@jasonthewatchmansson8873]

Her guests were in revolt! lol!

[@70rodal]

Very good mature discussion...something of this era that SOCIETY have lost nor is willing to practice.

[@johnatyoutube]

I've been a huge fan of June since I was a little kid and watched LIS every day when I came home from school. She was like my second mother. Brilliant, confident, and unconditionally loving. And underappreciated because of the time in which she lived. You could always see so much beyond her characters in her eyes. And now she's also my hero! She was incredibly brave and planted important seeds. And I'm so happy she's still with us. Thank you, June! I love you! 💖

[@alfredbonnabel7022]

THANK YOU JUNE ❤

[@looli1327]

YOU make me sound callous and heartless? No Virginia you sound like that yourself. Thank you for sharing this incredible piece of history!

[@williamfahey6066]

I would like to see the rest of this show. it looks like a good discussion. I am Gay and found this interesting. Thankfully most people do not care what a persons sexual orientation is, everyone knows sexual orientation is not a choice. Jeff

[@Aussiemarco]

At church that I went to in Sydney in the 1970’s and 80’s, a man started attending the evening services in the 70’s, and somehow after several months he was discovered to be a ‘practicing homosexual’ (their term). As soon as this was discovered, the minister went up to him before a service and told him what they’d found out and told him to leave and don’t come back - “homosexuals aren’t welcome here.“ I was still in the closet, and in the late 80’s when brother told me this had happened, I left the church and never went back to any church. I imagined that happening to me and was too disgusted to ever go back.

[@donnaleone3818]

I went to church in the 80s while I was living with my fiancé (now my husband). We went to church because we “knew we should”. No one - not even our families said we were doing anything wrong. It doesn’t mean that we weren’t, though. We just did what we pleased. Years later when I underwent a spiritual conversion, I felt very ashamed of my actions. I went to church not knowing or caring about how God felt about my relationship with my fiancé. If you truly want to know and serve Jesus Christ, I suggest getting a Bible and reading it (if you haven’t already). Reading the Bible changed my life.

[@Mister_Listener]

@@donnaleone3818 nobody is going to stop and read the Bible simply because you have a fetish for talking about it 24/7, dear.

[@donnaleone3818]

@@Mister_Listener maybe someone will.

[@Mister_Listener]

@@donnaleone3818 it is like a sickness for you…to rudely inject this into conversations all the time?

[@Mister_Listener]

@@donnaleone3818 angry? You dont have that power. But it is annoying that a holy roller is trying to cajole gay people into joining a church filled with hate towards them. Those actions are hateful and judgmental, yet you think some idiot living in the sky is smiling and watching you bully LGBTQIA while you read the Bible?

[@josephibarra1757]

That’s Troy Perry the founder of Metropolitan Community Church or MCC. Look 👀 it up

[@JayYoung-ro3vu]

For those of us who knew, we knew time ago. 😉❤️

[@Mister_Listener]

I never knew but know of that church. Nice of him to found MCC, but religion is the reason for all the hate. Best to forgo any sort of scripture based gatherings and find a better philosophy of life than church.

[@peterseeley1815]

Wow great discussion including "I have many homosexual friends ". Good job by the guests

[@gulliblesbabbles]

You tell ‘em, June! I like you even more than I did before.

[@BeFree8]

God bless that preacher wanting to help homosexuals, just what Jesus did, help everyone and love all. The United Methodist is open to all today. God bless them.

[@markmartindale7215]

The United Methodist Church yes. The Global Methodist Church no. Methodist Church is experiencing a schism currently.

[@mrxman581]

I love June. That was bold of her to disagree with the host's ignorant perspective, especially in those days. Well done, June Lockhart.

[@Helux1957]

Everyone there-- EXCEPT for Graham-- is part of pretty spofisticated group. Always liked June Lockhart and now my respect for her has risen exponentially. Even as a kid, I though Virginia Graham was ignorant. Turns out I was pretty sophisticated back then too. lol

[@trainerstone]

What a great segment. Thanks for posting.

[@kllwc7772]

June was an ally 🎉 🌈🎊📝😍😎

[@tophers3756]

Is an ally. She is with us still at 99!

[@timothysmith7888]

It cannot be possible that Virginia Graham truly had "homosexual friends". No self-respecting gay man would allow her to do her make-up like that. (Unless, of course, they saw right through her facade and, in quiet retribution, lied to her and said she was gorgeous! Tim Gunn would say, "If that's the look you'r going for, you're doing it brilliantly!".) Virginia Graham was doing just fine making herself sound "hard and calloused", without needing an assist from anyone! It's significant to note that this predates the tremendously positive impact that, among other studies, Evelyn Hooker's groundbreaking research had on persuading the American Psychiatric Association's 1973 removal of homosexuality from the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders). And Rev. Troy Perry is also still with us!

[@cmecre8629]

don't really agree with the make-up part of your comment my first thought was Ms. Graham looks like a Drag Queen

[@Caroleeena]

I love her and I want to hug her. She is not only compassionate, she is brave.

[@alanfite333]

Thank you June, for saying "stay on topic". Priceless.

[@marksnyder4159]

"I have many homosexual friends."

[@gregXxo]

Meaning she knows some gay people that she doesn't call a gay slurs to, aleast to their face

[@gregg5958]

I have “friends” that I go around making moral judgments on even though who they love isn’t a moral issue. With “friends” like that, who needs enemies?! I wonder if Virginia ever learned how to be a real friend to people?

[@ronaldwebster9683]

That priest was waayyyy ahead of his time! And that seeet woman June is a true advocate! This was beautiful to see from 54 years ago!

[@mikephalen3162]

You have to give Graham credit for having this discussion on her syndicated national show. She was a personality, not an intellectual. Her view was of the times, but she let her guests carry the day.

[@RaynorBear]

I've always loved June Lockhart... and after seeing this, I LOVE HER EVEN MORE!!!!!

[@corinnerogersconstable223]

Bless you Ms. June Lockhart. Beautiful, intelligent and a wonderful actress and an advocate for love.

[@sbkfalk]

Rev Troy Perry certainly a pioneer.

[@martins4788]

I might be dating myself, but I knew there was a reason why I’ve always loved June Lockhart ❤️. Also, let’s not forget the other people on the panel. “lost in space”, one of my top 10 favorite shows of ALL time!

[@HankHodges]

Steven, "THANK YOU !" for this amazing clip from 1970. I've been sharing this unfortunate & heinous reminder of homophobia with all my friends, contacts on Facebook, etc.. It's funny & I guess one could chalk it up to the power of TV, celebrity, media, etc., but I always adored June Lockhart on "Lost In Space". I'm not a over-romantic superstitious bloke who connects the dots where there aren't any. I'm not into astrology, religion, numerology, etc., but I AM a devout believer in happenstance & funny coincidences. I'm very grateful that you shared this. Peace, Henry