Lou Maletta, Founder of Gay Cable Network

A pioneer in gay television programming, Maletta launched the network in 1982, when gay-related programming was rare.

Lou Maletta, founder of the Gay Cable Network in 1982, died on November 2, 2011, in Kingston, New York. He was 74.

According to news reports, the cause was liver cancer.

When Maletta established the network, in 1982, gay-themed television programming was scarce.

Maletta started with a weekly program called “Men & Film,” which aired on Manhattan Cable Television in New York City. It began with gay pornographic movies that Maletta had edited to make it less explicit. Over time, the programming expanded to address a range of issues relevant to the gay community.

More obituary details are available at:

New York Times

Chelsea Now

Variety