SALLY on Disney+ and Hulu is a new National Geographic documentary about Sally Ride. She was the first American woman in space. However, there was much more to her story. Like the fact that she was in a relationship with a woman for most of her life. Read our Sally documentary review here!
SALLY is a new National Geographic documentary about Sally Ride. It’s very appropriately released during Pride Month as this is the full story about the first American woman in space, who was also queer. This is an LGBTQ story about how people used to (and sometimes still) feel forced to stay deep in the closet.
Sally Ride was in a committed and happy relationship for most of her adult life. Her life partner of 27 years, Tam O’Shaughnessy, gives us the story of Sally Ride. Also, we hear Sally Ride herself speak about her time becoming one of the first female astronauts at NASA.
Continue reading our Sally documentary review below. Find it on Hulu and Disney+ now.
Ride, Sally Ride
Sally Ride was the first American woman in space. When she went to space as the first American woman, she was also the third woman in the world – the USSR had already sent two women into space at this time. Also, Sally Ride was the youngest American astronaut ever in space.
As brilliant, fierce, and strong as Sally Ride was, she also had a weakness. A secret.
She had been in relationships with women before and would end up in a relationship with her life partner, Tam O’Shaugnessy, for 27 years. A relationship that made her happy and fulfilled, but which was also a romance full of sacrifices, as Sally Ride stayed deep in the closet. Forcing the otherwise out Tam to do the same.
In this amazing documentary, we hear about their 27 years together directly from Sally’s life partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy. The two met at tennis camp (how gay can you get, really?!) around the time they became teenagers. A lifelong friendship was born and would evolve into a love that lasted the rest of Sally Ride’s too-short life.
The LGBTQ Story of Sally Ride
I don’t know that anyone who isn’t in the LGBTQ community (or a real ally) can truly relate to the importance of getting the full story of who Sally Ride was. As mentioned by her life partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy, everyone saw Sally as a straight woman and was fine with her holding hands with, hugging, or kissing a man.
And even fawning over it, like it was some great romance. Despite the obvious lack of romance. Sorry, but I mean, come on, it’s impossible not to notice the lack of chemistry there.
Yet, the idea that it needs to be noted that she was, in fact, a gay lady, is completely irrelevant and foreign to them. And unlike the other obvious NASA problem of racism – originally, all astronauts where white men – you can hide and/or ignore the queer aspect.
Well, no longer. And it was Sally Ride’s own wish to have to finally be known. As the National Geographic documentary tells, Sally did finally make her relationship with Tam official. When Sally Ride was sick, she recognized that they needed the legal protection that so many in the LGBTQ community have fought for over decades.
They became domestic partners and both “put a ring on it” before Sally Ride passed away. Far too young. Much too early.
Watch Sally on Hulu or Disney+ now
Sally comes from National Geographic Documentary Films and is directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Cristina Costantini. After having its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, it’s being released during Pride Month, and I think it should be mandatory for everyone to watch it.
Certainly, all Americans who just may need to be reminded of how change happens, and how easy it can be to lose progress. And also anyone LGBTQ+ (including allies) to understand the very real struggles. Both for some people today and for most LGBTQ+ people just a few decades ago.
WATCH THIS IF YOU ENJOYED…
Despite it being a feature film, I think fans of NYAD will love SALLY >
The release of this documentary was also timed to the anniversary of Sally Ride’s spaceflight, which took place on June 18, 1983. I knew of Sally Ride before watching this documentary, but now I feel I also understand her better. From her need to act and speak as she did to her concerns about telling the world everything.
Sally Ride was brilliant, fierce, remarkable and has left a huge mark on the world. With this documentary, it has expanded to encompass even more elements of who she was. Documentary filmmaker Cristina Costantini has managed to include it all without decreasing any one area of Sally Ride’s life.
Also, Tam O’Shaughnessy deserved to tell the story of their beautiful love!
Sally was released on National Geographic, Disney+, and Hulu on June 17, 2025.
