FREEDOM TO MARRY
an Award-Winning
Gay Marriage Documentary

Photo by Rita Crane/2004

Director's Statement

How wonderful it is to be a part of a world-wide civil rights movement that will someday actually give us the legal right to marry the person we love! Little by little our voices and actions chip away the hatred and ignorance in society that has allowed gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender discrimination to exist.

As plein air painters turned filmmakers, FREEDOM TO MARRY is our first documentary. During three years of making short films, many of which have won awards, we supplemented our income by making wedding videos. In the Fall of 2003, as we edited a young heterosexual couple's wedding, back to back with the commitment ceremony of two women who'd been together for twenty years, we were awakened to the injustice that one ceremony was "legal" and the other wasn't. At that point we pledged to make a documentary on marriage equality.

After many months of research and fortuitous connections, we jumped into the swiftly moving current of change inspired by the actions of Mayor Gavin Newsom in San Francisco. Celebrating 10 creative years together during the process of making FREEDOM TO MARRY, we were joyously married at S.F. City Hall, on February 13, 2004.

Laurie York and Carmen Goodyear

Directors, FREEDOM TO MARRY

FREEDOM TO MARRY
Crew

Produced, directed, filmed, and edited by Laurie York and Carmen Goodyear ‚ Turtle Time Farm Productions

FREEDOM TO MARRY was made without funding on a less-than shoe-string budget. Every aspect of production of this film was done by the filmmakers.

FREEDOM TO MARRY
Cast

• Assemblymemeber, Mark Leno
• Author, Dr. Davina Kotulski
• Exec. Director, Marriage Equality CA, Molly McKay
• Linton Johnson and Jeff Winkler
• Astrid Ortega and Gordonelle Weisgerber
• Sherry Thomas and Lynn Witt
• Wendy Daw and Belinda Ryan
• Don Williams and David Jones
• Gretchen Bender, Margie Wells, Hannah and Mandi
• Karla Kyrias and Diana Berry

Musicians

• Annierose Wise
• Julie Engfer
• Anderson-Gram

Music By Kate Wolf

Filmmakers letter to SF Mayor Gavin Newsom following the 2004 election:

Dear Mayor Newsom,

As the Directors/Producers of the documentary, FREEDOM TO MARRY, we want to thank you for your unprecedented support to end discrimination of same-sex couples and the GLBT community.

We realize that some people are trying to place blame on the election results, as if the issue of same-sex marriage brought the conservatives out in droves. ÝWe must remember that not only were they voting for George W. Bush and his current and future war plans - they were voting to push the GLBT community back into the closet and they were voting to end legal abortion!

To put off the issues of discrimination, pro-choice or peace would be a way of saying, "we Democrats are the same as you right-wing conservative Republicans" - AND THAT WE ARE NOT!

The battle for equal rights, benefits and protections for same-sex couples may be a long one, but our gratitude to you for standing with us will never be forgotten. In time, we believe you will be remembered as a hero of equality across this nation. For now, we must hold steady and let the winds of hatred blow as a storm passing through.

Our film, FREEDOM TO MARRY, has received enormous response across the U.S. and around the world. Internationally it has been shown in Barcelona, Madrid, Taiwan, Buenos Aires, South Africa, Australia and will soon be shown in Italy and England. Our film would not have been made had you not allowed those 4,000+ same-sex couples to marry in San Francisco. Your example of strength and courage will never be forgotten.

Sincerely in peace and solidarity,
Laurie York and Carmen Goodyear,
Directors/Producers, FREEDOM TO MARRY