"One result of An American Family was that I became a gay role model"

Lance Loud was a pioneering figure in the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, and his look on the PBS documentary series An American Family in 1973 was a major milestone in the representation of queer people on tv. By appearing on the program, Loud became a good example for other queer individuals, showing them that it was possible to be open and sincere about their sexuality. His presence on the show likewise helped to stabilize the concept of being gay, and to challenge the stigma and discrimination that LGBTQ+ individuals dealt with at the time. Loud's appearance on the program was a significant step forward in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, and his legacy as a gay good example continues to this day.