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To our minds, Ray Hill represents the ideals of community broadcasting in Houston more than any other. His dedication to strong programming & his connection to local activism brings into sharp relief the depths to which KPFT has currently sunk.
For those unfamiliar with the Ray Hill legend, he ís the prototypical local-Houston-boy-makes-good; but not in the ways you would think. Active in the struggle for Gay Rights since infancy, Ray was cofounder and president of Promethean Society in 1968. He then took a 5-year sabbatical as an inmate in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) from 1970-1975. Somethin' about a night job stealing antiques, oils, and jewels, in what has to be the queerest cat burglar ring in the annals of crime. Once freed, he foreswore antiques & resumed community organizing as cofounder of the Houston Human Rights League (1976-1986).
One of Ray's most important contributions has been fighting local police abuses through the courts; winning four Federal suits against the city of Houston. These included a Supreme Court decision that overturned a state law criminalizing the interruption of a police officer. There were also successful challenges to a city ordinance requiring people to document their identity on demand of a police officer and a challenge to an ordinance prohibiting the blocking of the sidewalk.
Involved with KPFT since its founding in 1970, Ray finally relented to being the station's general manager in 1980-81. Much to the chagrin of Pacifica's managerial class, Ray succeeded becoming both the first openly gay person and the first ex-con to run a broadcast facility. As documented here, this was heyday of the station with a diverse programming reaching out to all of Houstonís people.
While managing KPFT, Ray started "The Prison Show." This program., now in its 21st year, has developed a highly effective format mixing an hour of prison news and activism with another hour in which the families and friends of inmates can call in to broadcast greetings (Necessary in Texas because TDJC strictly limits phone calls from inmates).
Listen in, every Friday night from 9-11PM, to hear the show.
Lately, Ray has taken to theatre producing 4 one-man shows about his various experiences. Among community activists, you got those who work within the system and those that work against the system. In his amazing career, Ray Hill has been playing both sides of the fence.