Vito Russo

%C2%A7Russo Vito (1946-1990) - foto di Massimo Consoli 28-VI-1989, NY

Vito Russo (July 11, 1946 – November 7, 1990) was an American LGBT activist, film historian, and author. He is best known for his work on the portrayal of LGBT characters in film and television, particularly through his book The Celluloid Closet.

Early Life

Vito Russo was born in New York City, New York. He grew up in a traditional Italian-American family and attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, where he earned a degree in film studies.

Activism

Russo was a prominent figure in the Gay Liberation Movement of the 1970s and 1980s. He was a founding member of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and was actively involved in the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP). His activism was driven by a desire to combat the negative stereotypes and lack of representation of LGBT individuals in the media.

The Celluloid Closet

Russo's most influential work, The Celluloid Closet, was published in 1981. The book examines the history of LGBT characters in film, from the silent era to the 1980s. It highlights the ways in which these characters were often portrayed negatively or as stereotypes. The book was later adapted into a documentary film in 1995, narrated by Lily Tomlin.

Legacy

Vito Russo's contributions to LGBT activism and film criticism have had a lasting impact. He is remembered for his passionate advocacy for LGBT rights and his efforts to bring visibility to LGBT issues in the media. The GLAAD Media Award for outstanding film is named in his honor.

Death

Russo died of complications related to AIDS on November 7, 1990, in New York City. His work continues to inspire LGBT activists and film historians.

See Also

• The Celluloid Closet
• GLAAD
• ACT UP
• LGBT rights in the United States
• AIDS