Sally Ride Partner Reveals 27-Year Romance Permission Before Death

A new documentary titled "Sally," premiering on National Geographic and available on Disney+, reveals the previously private 27-year relationship between Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, and her partner Tam O'Shaughnessy. O'Shaughnessy shared that Ride gave her permission just ten days before her death in 2012 to disclose their relationship publicly, a secret kept due to the risks of being openly gay in the 1980s. The film combines archival footage, animations, and reenactments to portray both Ride's pioneering NASA career and her careful navigation of societal biases, including entering a brief marriage to avoid media scrutiny. Ride's story highlights the intersection of sexism and homophobia she faced, and the documentary challenges current efforts to erase diversity and minority empowerment at institutions like NASA. Despite few photos of their private life, the documentary draws on O'Shaughnessy's memories to provide an intimate portrait, emphasizing the progress and reasons behind their previous secrecy. This new exposure celebrates Ride not only as a trailblazing astronaut but also as a woman who quietly lived her truth under challenging circumstances.