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FREEDOM TO MARRY
an Award-Winning
Gay Marriage Documentary

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AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER!
17th Annual OUT ON FILM
2004 Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

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BEST DOCUMENTARY
JUROR’S AWARD

OUTFLIX Film Festival - 2005

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OFFICIAL SELECTION!

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San Francisco - FRAMELINE
Los Angeles - OUTFEST
Berlin G&L
Barcelona G&L
Buenos Aires
Australia - FILM AND TELEVISION INSTITUTE
Madrid G&L

Taiwan - WOMEN MAKE WAVES
Brussels G&L
Southwest G&L
Portland G&L
Austin G&L
Tucson - WINGSPAN
Atlanta - OUT ON FILM

 

Review of
FREEDOM TO MARRY

"Mr. President Why Do You Hate My Family? Love Hannah" was one of the first signs I saw held in the hand of an 8-year-old girl when I showed up in Sacramento on Valentine's Day 2004 for the Marriage Equality Rally that my wife Molly and I co-produced with local marriage equality activists. The day was unusually warm and everyone was on Cloud 9. San Francisco Mayor Newsom had just married half of us and hundreds of other elated couples surrounded San Francisco City Hall hoping to tie the knot, as we took to the stage to talk about the inequality that same-sex couples have endured. There were tears, humor, politicians, gay vets, children of Lesbians and Gays, and Carmen Goodyear and Laurie York, two amazing filmmakers who were there to capture it all and produce their gripping, heart-warming documentary FREEDOM TO MARRY.

FREEDOM TO MARRY really is a "feel-good" movie, while at the same time helping the audience understand on a very personal level how same-sex couples and their families are short-changed by not being able to access the 1,138 federal and hundreds of state marriage rights like other American families. The impact of not having immigration rights, inheritance rights, protections for children, and spousal benefits for domestic partners of veterans are some of the topics that are explored more in depth in this film.

FREEDOM TO MARRY works to make connections between this civil rights movement and the Black Civil Rights movement and women's suffrage. Also, when watching FREEDOM TO MARRY the audience has front row seats to the wedding of Karla and Diana, who joyfully exclaim, "we never thought we'd see this in their lifetime", only to have their marriage voided by the California court.

I have seen FREEDOM TO MARRY shown in several cities and states and the feelings are always the same. There is laughter and tears, gay couples squeezing their same-sex partner just a little harder when they watch Astrid and Gordie exchange vows after 20 years together, brushing a tear from their eyes as Jeff Winkler struggles to speak through his emotions about how moved he was when a straight fraternity brother congratulates him on his marriage to Linton, and at the end many of the non-gay viewers walk away with an "a-ha" experience. "I thought I got it, but now I really get it", one non-gay viewer told me at a church screening.

FREEDOM TO MARRY is an enlightening film. It has the power to transform the viewer, opening hearts and minds. Purchase several for your holiday gift-giving and this year, give the gift of freedom, equality, and love.

We all deserve the freedom to marry!

~Davina Kotulski, Ph.D.
Deputy Exec. Director, Marriage Equality USA
and Author of
Why You Should Give A Damn About Gay Marriage.

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