There’s an anniversary this week that is passing without much fanfare. On December 3, 2000 the Showtime original series Queer as Folk burst onto the screens of American television taking viewers where they never were before, and quite possibly have never gone since. Originally the brainchild of Russell T. Davies for UK television, the US version by Ron Cowen and Dan Lipman drew controversy and acclaim. It made me subscribe to Showtime months before it actually aired in anticipation.

For as loud and flamboyantly as the show first appeared, ten years later there is barely more than a whisper for a show that was landmark television. It was a milestone show that broke many boundaries. The show took you on a helluva ride following the lives of a group of gay friends. Carefully woven into the show were messages of awareness, hope and solidarity. It clearly made a bold statement and paved the way for other shows to break even more boundaries and go even further beyond the expected. As Queer as Folk ages gracefully its vividness begins to fade from memory, but will forever leave a lasting impression on television and culture.