Sally Ride made history on June 18, 1983, when she became the first American woman to fly into space aboard the space shuttle Challenger. However, her groundbreaking journey was not without personal sacrifice and societal challenges. A new National Geographic documentary titled “Sally” sheds light on Ride’s accomplishments and the truths she was forced to hide to pursue her career.
The film explores how Ride navigated the pressures of being a pioneering female astronaut while hiding her queer identity in an era that was not accepting. Ride, who passed away from cancer in 2012, was revealed posthumously to have been in a 27-year relationship with Tam O’Shaughnessy. This facet of her life was kept secret due to the institutionalized homophobia prevalent even at NASA.
Director Cristina Costantini highlights the relevance of Ride’s story amidst contemporary issues concerning diversity and inclusion. During the film’s development, NASA employees reported having to hide symbols of LGBTQ+ pride at work due to new policies, echoing the challenges Ride faced decades earlier.
Sally Ride: navigating space and secrets
The documentary brings to light the emotional toll Ride faced from concealing her relationship with O’Shaughnessy. It blends narrations from those close to her with animations and archival imagery. Ride’s five-year marriage to fellow astronaut Steve Hawley is discussed in the film as a strategic move, deflecting suspicions about her sexual orientation and facilitating her career in an age when “being single in space” was frowned upon.
Costantini recounts anecdotes illustrating the complexities and contradictions in Ride’s character, painting her as a multi-dimensional figure whose journey was fraught with both professional triumphs and personal sacrifices. “Sally” also touches on Ride’s transformative experience in space. Her words, “I loved being weightless,” now hold a poignant double meaning, symbolizing the liberating escape from both physical gravity and societal pressures.
The documentary portrays Ride’s space mission as a pivotal moment in her personal life. It marked the beginning of her journey toward self-acceptance and the realization of the artificial divisions humanity places upon itself. “Sally” premieres on National Geographic on June 16 and will be available on Hulu and Disney+ on June 17.
