The Real Live Lesbian Show
The Real Live Lesbian Show, via WBAI Folio 1977
A foundational part of WBAI’s early women-identified programming, The Real Live Lesbian Show had a regular evening slot and aired every Tuesday at 9 PM from at least 1977-1978. It was primarily hosted and produced by two mainstays of the WBAI Women’s Department, Carmen Garcia and Rebecca Tron. As noted in its title, the program had an explicitly lesbian focus. For example, a widely cited 1978 episode entitled “Dykes and Tykes Legal Custody Center” featured lesbian mothers in New York discussing their legal struggles, while another Christmas holiday two part special was called “Lesbian Perspectives Part I” and “Lesbian Perspectives Part II.”
Rebecca Tron, via WBAI Folio 1977
Rebecca Tron:
A host and producer of The Real Live Lesbian Show, in a WBAI folio from 1977 Rebecca Tron (Klinger) described herself thus: “As a Jewish Lesbian from Texas, I have felt like a kid in a candy store for 6.5 eventful (both personally and politically) years in NYC. I hope to bring to programs about even the most serious issues a sense of humor, in the firm belief that our ability to laugh is our greatest sword and shield as we fight for our rightful place in this often humorless world.”
During her time at WBAI, Tron interviewed the likes of Jane Trahey, Rose Jordan, Eileen Kane, Suni Paz, Martha Siegal, Sharon Thomson, Alice Walker, and Lynn Messinger.
Other programs Tron produced at WBAI included the one off program entitled, “Lesbian Bartenders in Lesbian Bars,” which interviewed lesbian bartenders working in Greenwich Village, and “What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?” in which young girls talked about their hopeful future careers, both of which were part of WBAI’s Women’s Work Weekend.
Carmen Garcia:
Another early member of WBAI’s Women’s Department, Carmen Garcia was also a host and producer of The Real Live Lesbian Show, alongside Rebecca Tron.
Notably, Garcia was listed as being a speaker in the "Coming Out Proud" panel, held during Lesbian Pride Week in 1977 and organized by the Lesbian Feminist Liberation.