On June 27, 1969, Vito Russo, a 23-year-old film student at the time, was in the crowd as a riot began outside the Stonewall Inn in New York City, an event often considered to mark the beginning of the Gay Rights Movement. His life over the next 20 years, until his death from AIDS in 1990, saw him become an inspiring gay rights and AIDS activist (co-founder of GLAAD and ACT-UP) and a literary icon as the first chronicler of LGBT film history (The Celluloid Closet). He wrote, lectured, and organized prolifically, traveling and working until just months before his death.   

The Alliance’s October film, “Vito,” explores these aspects of Russo, using vintage footage and film clips to capture the spirit of this passionate and courageous man who died too young, leaving behind a daunting legacy and a large complement of friends.   

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