A new documentary airing this week on Logo features the history of one of the most well-known and longest-standing LGBTQ sports organizations in the world. West Hollywood Aquatics, which for years has gone by WH2O, has been Los Angeles’ LGBTQ swimming and water polo team since the 1980s.
The new film takes a look at the club’s long history. That, of course, includes insight into the struggle many members experienced losing friends, boyfriends and teammates to AIDS in the 1980s and 1990s. Some of them even discuss having to swim at the Gay Games in 1994 in New York City — yes, New York City — in pools with too much chlorine because of mindless AIDS scares in New York — yes, THAT New York.
In the exclusive clip above Charlie Carson, a longtime stalwart with Team New York Aquatics, talks about a powerful moment when a team from Montreal performed a red-ribbon routine for the popular Pink Flamingo portion of a swim meet.
The film also brings us to the present day, as West Hollywood Aquatics still has a huge role in the lives of many gay men, lesbians and other members of the LGBTQ community.
You can check out “Light In The Water” on Logo on Thursday, July 19, at 8pmET. The team is hosting a live watch party at Gym Sportsbar in West Hollywood. Also, you’ll be able to find West Hollywood Aquatics at the Gay Games in Paris this August.
In the meantime, watch a trailer for the documentary film here:
