The L bunch are back. Sisters of '77: Betty Friedan's speech ends, "I believe that we must help the women who are lesbians be protected in their own civil rights," followed by an eruption of euphoria, as a "Lesbian Rights" banner waves. Barbara Jordan opened the National Women's Conference in Houston asking: "The cause of equal and human rights will reap what is sown November 18-21, 1977. What will you reap? What will you sow?" Also shown: Bella Abzug and Rosalind Carter. The Origin of AIDS: A mass polio vaccination campaign in the Congo during the mid-to-late 1950s

THIS ISSUE > ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT > TELEVISION

On February 20, the critically acclaimed Showtime series The L Word returns for a second season with 13 new episodes. The L Word is about lesbian life in Los Angeles and follows a group of friends--both gay and straight--through stories of career, family, inner struggle, friendship, and romance.

With the enormous success of the first season of The L Word, both seasoned actors and fascinating personalities have flocked to take part in season two. Camryn Manheim, Sandra Bernhard, Gloria Steinem, and Arianna Huffington are among the intriguing guest stars, as well as an eclectic group of musical artists, from Heart to Peaches to classical guitarist Sharon Isbin.

Further solidifying The L Word 's status as a groundbreaking hit series, a list of acclaimed independent film directors have come on board to helm episodes of the show's second season. Among them are Burr Steers, Lisa Cholodenko, Ernest Dickerson, Tony Goldwyn, Rose Troche, Daniel Minahan, Lynn Stopkewich, and Alison Maclean.

In the photo, clockwise from bottom left: Mia Kirshner as Jenny, Katherine Moennig as Shane, Rachel Shelley as Helena, Eric Lively as Mark, Pam Grier as Kit, Sarah Shahi as Carmen, Leisha Hailey as Alice, Erin Daniels as Dana, Jennifer Beals as Bette, and Laurel Holloman as Tina.

Premieres on Showtime (www.sho.com) on Sunday, February 20, at 9 p.m.

-------------------------------------------------

SISTERS OF '77
Susan Sarandon hosts a look at a significant event in Houston that galvanized feminism

Ron Stone didn't know what it was. Religious conservatives were threatened by it. Lesbians were elated to be included in it. The Equal Rights Amendment became a household term in 1977, International Women's Year (IWY), with the first federally funded National Women's Conference in Houston. Democratic representative Barbara Jordan addressed the beginning of the conference, asking, "The cause of equal and human rights will reap what is sown November 18-21, 1977. What will you reap? What will you sow?"

In the documentary The Sisters of '77, there are interviews with Houstonian Pokey Anderson, Betty Friedan, Ann Richards, Gloria Steinem, footage of Coretta Scott King, as well as such other such local faces as news people Elma Barrera and Ron Stone. The list goes on and on.

Opposition to women's rights and the four-day conference are also covered thoroughly. Congressman R.K. Dornan, (R) California, is shown vehemently outraged by the then-current and two former First Ladies attending the conference. Footage of Phyllis Schlafly of STOP ERA shows her passionately speaking against the movement.

Hot topics like reproductive rights were just as controversial then as they are now. Especially of interest is the uncertainty that took place during a portion of the conference as to whether or not lesbians and lesbian rights--"the lesbian issue"--would be included as an integral component. It was simply a subject that many men and women chose not to face. Betty Friedan's speech that addresses sexuality and the inclusion thereof ends with, "I believe that we must help the women who are lesbians be protected in their own civil rights," followed by an eruption of euphoria, as a "Lesbian Rights" banner waves toward the back of the conference center.

Sisters of '77 airs on "Independent Lens," Tuesday, March 1, at 10 p.m. on PBS channel 8. -- Eric A.T. Dieckman

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE ORIGIN OF AIDS

The Origin of AIDS probes one of the most vexing, highly charged areas of AIDS research: how and when the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was introduced to humans. Research has shown that chimpanzees carry simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), a close relative of HIV. Science knows that AIDS originated in Africa, and has concluded that at some point SIV crossed over into humans and became HIV. It has been argued that the lethal contact could have come through the food supply, but there is another theory: that SIV was introduced to humans via mass polio immunization programs carried out in Africa in the late 1950s.

Beginning with a history of the mid-century polio eradication crusade, directors Peter Chappell and Cathérine Peix (a former biology teacher) take an in-depth look at the polio hypothesis and the furious response it has provoked in the scientific community. Their investigation ultimately leads them to modern-day Congo, site of the polio research camp set up in 1957 by the revered scientist Hilary Koprowski, inventor of an oral polio vaccine.

The Origin of AIDS has received the following awards: Best Direction, 2004 Hot Docs Festival; the Silver Hugo for Documentary: Science/Nature at the 2004 Chicago International Television Awards; and the Rockie Award for Best Popular Science and Natural History Program at the 2004 Banff Tele-vision Festival.

The Origin of AIDS premieres on Sundance Channel on Monday, February 7, at 8 p.m., with repeat airings on the 8th at 4 p.m., the 12th at 10:30 a.m., the 14th at noon, and the 20th at 1:30 p.m. To confirm schedule: www.sundancechannel.com.