Sally Ride, the first American woman to travel to space, made history when she boarded the Challenger on June 18, 1983. But the trailblazing astronaut also lived a more private truth: she was a lesbian, a fact that remained unknown to the public until her death from cancer in 2012.
A new documentary titled Sally shines a light on Ride’s full legacy, reclaiming her identity and personal story amid a troubling political climate.
Sally Ride Had a Secret Life
Sally Ride’s sexual orientation was only publicly acknowledged in her obituary, which named her partner of 27 years, Tam O’Shaughnessy.
Now, Sally, a powerful National Geographic documentary debuting June 16 and streaming on Hulu and Disney+ the next day, offers an intimate portrait of the hidden emotional dimensions of Ride’s life.
“We had a wonderful relationship from the time we were kids until we became lovers,” said O’Shaughnessy in an interview. “I think it’s something to be proud of.”
O’Shaughnessy’s narration in the film helps fill the gaps in Ride’s undocumented personal life. The couple’s relationship remained concealed through Ride’s astronaut career, a reflection of the institutional and cultural pressures of the time.
