See LGBTQ+ Icons Reincarnated In HBO Max's New Series 'Equal'

Know Your History

In a new four-part series for HBO Max set to drop in October 2020, the stories of various LGBTQ+ historical icons will be told. The series, which will combine archival footage with stylistic recreations. These recreations feature a cast of LGBTQ+ talent, including Cheyenne Jackson, Anthony Rapp, Shannon Purser, Heather Matarazzo, Jamie Clayton, Isis King, Samira Wiley, Gale Harold, Keiynan Lonsdale and many more.

The series will detail the rise of early LGBTQ+ organizations, explain the 20th century trans experience, discuss the contributions of Black folks to the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement, and also lay out the beginning of the Pride movement. These stories will be told through the icons of lives like Dale Jennngs, Chrstine Jorgensen, Lorraine Hannsberry, Bayard Rustin, Jose Sarria, and more.

The team of executive producers is long, including Scout Productions as well as Greg Berlanti and Jim Parsons. The project was directed by Stephen Kijack and Kimberly Reed.

Cheyenne Jackson as Dale Jennings

Anthony Rapp as Harry Hay

Shannon Purser and Heather Matarazzo as Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon

Sara Gilbert as J.M. from Cleveland

Anne Ramsay as the FBI Agent

Alexandra Gray as Lucy Hicks Anderson

Theo Germaine as Jack Starr

Jamie Clayton as Christine Jorgensen

Isis King as Alexis

Samir Wiley as Lorraine Hannsberry

Keiynan Lonsdale as Bayard Rustin

Jai Rodriguez as Jose Sarria

Haillie Sahar as Sylvia Rivera

Scott Turner Schofield as Craig Rodwell

Cole Doman as Mark Segal

Elizabeth Faith Ludlow as Stormé DeLarverie

Gale Harold as Howard Smith

Sam Pancake as Dick Leitsch